Untitled 1961

Glen Alps created this untitled charcoal drawing sometime in the 20th century. Its swirling strokes and dark tones suggest a fiery intensity or perhaps an emotional turmoil. Consider the socio-political context of the post-war era in the United States. Abstract Expressionism, which shares some formal qualities with this piece, was promoted by institutions like the MoMA as emblems of American freedom. Did works such as this, with its brooding qualities, serve as an unspoken counterpoint, expressing anxiety during the Cold War? Was it an assertion of individual expression against institutional norms? A deeper understanding requires examining the archives, exhibition histories, and critical responses to explore the social forces that shaped the art. It helps us to grasp the meaning of art as something that is dependent on social and institutional contexts.