The Hanged Man 1949

Editor: This is Alfonso Ossorio’s "The Hanged Man." It's undated, but the mixed media on paper has a frantic energy. I'm curious, what kind of cultural commentary do you see here? Curator: Well, the title "The Hanged Man" immediately evokes the Tarot card, a figure suspended, often symbolizing sacrifice or a moment of pause. Considering Ossorio's own biography as a Filipino-American artist navigating mid-20th century American art world, how might this image also represent a position of marginalization, of being 'hung' between cultures? Editor: That’s a fascinating angle I hadn’t considered! Curator: The chaotic composition reinforces this feeling. The marks seem urgent, almost frantic. What might these layered colors and abstract forms communicate about societal pressures or internal conflict during that time? Editor: It's interesting to think about how abstraction can still carry very real, social meaning. Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider.