Blue Red Divide 2016

Felice House created this oil painting, “Blue Red Divide," in the 20th century. House is best known for her series "Re•Western," which interrogates and re-imagines the visual codes of Westerns, typically a genre that has excluded or misrepresented women and people of color. In "Blue Red Divide", the division of the canvas mirrors the complex layering of identity. The subject’s gaze meets something outside of the frame: what does she see, and what does she represent? The cool blues evoke a sense of calm reflection, while the warm reds suggest passion. This deliberate use of color invites a dialogue about the cultural and political divides that shape the identities of women of color. Her series challenges us to reconsider not only how we represent women and people of color in art but also how we engage with the narratives that have historically marginalized them. House urges us to acknowledge and dismantle the artificial boundaries that limit our understanding of identity and experience.