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Critical Analysis 1
Student’s Name: Yashika McCoy
Professor’s Name: Professor Cochell
Course: ARTS 209
Date: March 9, 2023
Frank Wimberley Untitled Artwork
Retrieved from: “Frank Wimberley.” , The Art Institute of Chicago
The name of the artist of the above artwork is Frank Wimberley, a famous artist known
for his acrylic paints, using vast tools such as spatulas, scrapers, and brushes to achieve his
artworks. This artwork does not have a title but was created in 1971. The artwork is located in
the Art Institve Chicago gallery.
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Critical Analysis 2
At first glance, the work is a bunch of square-like parts, a circle, and a rainbow of colors,
nothing else. The individual wondered why a person could have wasted their time and even used
different shades of colors to create a meaningless portrait. When visiting art galleries, one is used
to finding "real" portraits where one can see the image and connect it with a specific person or
object. However, a person needed clarification since no specific imagery came to mind at first
sight. Yet when an individual looked closer, the art seemed to be a lady of African descent. The
woman appears to be wearing a purple blouse and a short dark pink skirt and bending down,
peering at the floor as if she is on the verge of scooping something up. The image portrays
different messages when one looks at it severally. The fact that an individual gets different views
from the artwork makes them feel confused whenever they look at it.
Inventory-wise, a person perceives various colors in the description of the artwork. One
possibility is that it is a quilt with different colors that have been folded up. Contrarily, the image
seems like 13 separate sections, with the darkest color, black, being the one that stands out the
most, followed by a calm shade of purple, then yellow, grey, dark pink, then dark purple. In
terms of composition, lines run both horizontally and vertically. Wimberley is trying to create a
form, but the result is bent. Therefore, Amorphous is the word that comes out when one looks at
the forms because as much as the artist tries to make a particular shape, the outcome falls short.
Besides, the colors used in the portrait are bold yet not overbearing. Regarding the visual cues,
six different colors are used, with a bright landscape and various light and dark colors scattered
throughout. In addition, the landscape is the primary source of light. Natural sunlight is being
used as the illumination source here.
By analyzing the work, the artist has used the elements of art effectively. The vibrant
colors have enabled me to pay massive attention to the portrait, even though it brings out
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Critical Analysis 3
different images and meanings every time one looks at it. In addition, form-taking square shapes
make the whole drawing exciting. Thus, the significance of the setting contributes to the overall
worth of the value. Moreover, the artist creates a smoother appearance by rounding off the
corners of the forms instead of employing harsh edges. The aspects that grab peoples' attention in
work are the black circle and how the forms are layered. Besides, the fact that the lines are wavy
and jagged rather than straight and smooth attracts one's attention to the portrait. The artist
created the artwork using freehand techniques.
Nonetheless, the job has been done after much thought and effort was put into it. The fact
that all of the parts are layered on top of one another gives the impression that the work was
challenging, more so now that the drawing makes me feel like one is standing on top of it.
Hence, there is a connection between the work's inventory, visual cues, and composition since
they are working together to communicate specific emotions (Doyle 3). As an individual looks at
the artwork, they are left feeling bewildered since these people cannot understand what is taking
place. It provokes thoughts and wonders among people. One cannot determine what is taking
place. A person can understand what it stands for something, but I need help focusing on what.
The continent of Africa might be the inspiration for the artwork. The colors used in the
painting give the impression that they may be a component of the flag of South Africa.
Contrarily, the work may display parts of a quilt; these may be bits and parts of a flag. Therefore,
the work might depict the artist's homeland, family history, or cultural heritage. Concerning the
artist's background information, the individual made his first home in Pleasantville, New Jersey,
in 1920 ("Frank Wimberley Biography" par.3). Wimberley uses an abstract expressionist
technique to define his artistic practice. During the creation of the art in 1971, paper made of
white wool was used to conduct the work. Wimberley often incorporates sawdust into the paint
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Critical Analysis 4
to give his paintings more extraordinary substance. He said one of his favorite ways to create
movement in his paintings was using a large, floppy brush.
Finally, regarding the informed judgment of the artwork, the portrait has stayed the same
since my first impression. During one's first reaction to the work, one only sees what seems to be
a collection of roughly square pieces, a circle, and a range of colors, nothing more. As a person
examine more closely, though, it is a woman of African heritage dressed in a dark pink skirt and
a purple blouse. In addition to this, she looks at the ground while squatting down and could even
be picking something up. It is possible to interpret it in a variety of various ways. Every time one
looks at it, they are confused since these individuals do not know what it is. Since people enjoy
the way the components are practically leaping off the page, they could give this technique a go.
As a result of what one learned, a bright backdrop helps the work stand out more; they could
begin to use bright backgrounds. This art helped me see things in a new light and started me
thinking.
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Critical Analysis 5
Works Cited
Doyle, Mike. “Elements of Art.” , vol. 3, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1–5., STEAM
https://doi.org/10.5642/steam.20170301.17.
“Frank Wimberley Biography, Artworks & Exhibitions.” Ocula the Best in Contemporary Art
Icon., . https://ocula.com/artists/frank-wimberley/
“Frank Wimberley.” , The Art Institute of Chicago https://www.artic.edu/artists/60458/frank-
wimberley.
