Untitled (Recovery Series) Possibly 1990

Curator: This is an untitled work from Alfonso Ossorio's "Recovery Series," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as almost childlike, yet unsettling. The looping lines create a dense web of figures, some easily identifiable, others more ambiguous. Curator: Ossorio, a Filipino-American artist, often explored themes of trauma and healing in his art, reflecting his own personal struggles. Editor: The color scheme is certainly deliberate; the stark blue lines and the touches of red and orange really make certain elements pop. The jellyfish-like form, for instance, feels both alien and deeply symbolic. Curator: It's interesting to consider how Ossorio's work engaged with Abstract Expressionism and Art Brut, movements that valued raw emotion and the rejection of academic norms. Editor: Indeed. The "Recovery Series" suggests a journey, perhaps through painful memories, towards a kind of resolution. The imagery feels intensely personal, almost like a visual language unique to Ossorio. Curator: Ultimately, understanding the cultural and historical context of Ossorio's work can shed light on the artwork's resonance. Editor: Absolutely, and allows us to connect with the emotional weight of his personal iconography.