Created by
Binion, McArthur, American, born 1946
Date
1978-1979
Medium
oil stick, Dixon wax crayon on aluminum
Dimensions
H x W x D: 59 × 46 × 2 1/16 in. (149.9 × 116.8 × 5.2 cm)
Caption
McArthur Binion is an abstract artist who developed a unique technique of "painting" by taking wax-based crayons and repeatedly pressing them on a surface to build up texture and form. He chose the medium of crayon because he wanted to break with artistic tradition. "It became important to me to do something different … we did not have crayons in our house. The only crayons were at school. I started off doing charcoal drawings and lithographs and then oil paintings. The more I got into art history, I realized there were a lot of painters. What was going to make my art different from all those fine painters? I did not want to be just like everyone else. I wanted to break the rules."
Description
This oil stick and wax crayon painting on aluminum depicts an abstracted oval shape. Done in tones of red and white, the oval leans in a slant to the right, sitting on a rectangular field. The background is also two toned, yellow and red, opposite sides of the two tones used within the oval. The wax colors are pressed onto the canvas, rather than drawn, creating a high relief texture to the surface.
Classification
Visual Arts
Type
paintings
mixed media
Topic
Abstract Expressionism
Art
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of McArthur Binion
Object number
2014.160
Restrictions & Rights
© McArthur Binion
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c5794a6c-45bd-4f9d-b941-ab7eb6804dc6

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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