Islam 1981

Gene Davis created “Islam” as a work on paper using graphite and colored pencil. It belongs to a period when Davis moved away from his large-scale stripe paintings and began to focus on more intimate works. Davis was a member of the Washington Color School, a movement that sought to distill painting to its essential elements of color and form. The title, “Islam”, is intriguing. Davis was not known to engage directly with religious or cultural themes. One way to interpret this work is to consider how non-Western cultures have historically been a source of inspiration for Western artists. The upper section evokes a musical score or perhaps a coded language, hinting at hidden meanings. The lower section could suggest the structured, yet interconnected nature of society. In this way, “Islam” serves as a conduit for exploring the exchange of ideas across cultures. It encourages us to reflect on the boundaries of identity and the potential for connection.