Salute 1958

Gene Davis made this painting, Salute, with acrylic on canvas. At first glance, it might seem like a simple arrangement of vertical stripes, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Davis used the innate qualities of acrylic paint to explore color and form. The canvas is densely packed with stripes, and its dimensions invite close inspection, encouraging the viewer to engage with the surface quality of the work. These stripes were painted by hand, so the work lacks the perfection of mechanical reproduction. The visual impact of the piece hinges on this simple, repetitive gesture. It reflects a broader cultural interest in labor, and challenges our understanding of how much work goes into art. In so doing, Davis blurs the boundaries between 'high' art and 'low' craft. It’s an invitation to appreciate the value of the handmade.