Sky Sash So Blue 1997

Editor: This is Benny Andrews' "Sky Sash So Blue" from 1997, rendered in acrylic on canvas. It's such an unusual composition, almost like a dreamscape. I’m struck by the woman, reaching toward the sky, with this blue sash floating above her. What stands out to you in this work? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the formal elements—the spatial organization and the deployment of color. Note the stark contrast between the ochre landscape and the light-blue sky, divided by a large area of white space. What do you make of the restricted palette and the seemingly naive figuration? Editor: The colors are quite muted, aren't they? And there's a flatness to the forms, almost as if they were collaged, particularly the figure's skirt and the strange flower-like plants. I'm wondering about the symbolism of it all. Curator: Symbolism is less pertinent here. Instead, consider how Andrews manipulates form. The angularity of the plants, the deliberate lack of perspective, the very application of paint—each decision reinforces the constructed nature of the image. Look closely at the paint application: note how it emphasizes texture and flatness simultaneously, pushing and pulling against our understanding of space. How does that play into the meaning? Editor: So, it's less about decoding hidden meanings, and more about understanding how these elements create a distinct visual experience? It definitely changes how I see the painting. The woman’s posture, reaching for the sash, creates a powerful upward movement against the flatness, drawing my eye to the sky. Curator: Precisely. The dynamic tension arises not from a narrative, but from the interplay of form and color. It’s a testament to the intrinsic power of art. Editor: I'm beginning to appreciate Andrews' unique way of blending abstraction and figuration. The painting becomes so much richer by focusing on the formal construction. Curator: Indeed. A careful consideration of an artwork’s inherent qualities offers significant aesthetic reward.