Corralled 1945

Boris Margo, a Russian-born American artist, created this cellocut titled ‘Corralled.’ Margo was working during a time of significant social upheaval and the rise of abstract expressionism, seeking new modes to express interior states of being. Looking at this print, consider the implications of being ‘corralled.’ What does it mean to be confined, controlled, or limited in one's movement and freedom? The abstract forms evoke both organic and mechanical elements, suggesting a tension between nature and industrialization, freedom and constraint. Margo’s work invites us to consider the ways in which individuals and communities are shaped by external forces, and how those forces affect our sense of identity and agency. The emotional impact of this piece stems from its ambiguity; it challenges us to confront the complexities of modern life and to reflect on our place within it.