Bowl 1917

This bowl was made with paint by Edward Middleton Manigault and is now here at the Art Institute of Chicago. Isn’t it beautiful how the artist embraced the form of this bowl to create something decorative? It is as if the curves of the bowl itself inspired the artist to be playful. There is a really nice balance between the geometric motifs and the more organic shapes. I love that each of the painted forms has its own imperfect outline. Look closely and you can see the wavering lines, the little drips and overlaps that give the bowl its handmade charm. The brushstrokes here are expressive, lively. I see Manigault experimenting with how the glaze or paint can be applied to create texture and depth on the surface of the bowl. See those teardrop shapes in the upper register, and the way each of them has a little circular void in the center? When I look at them, I am reminded of the work of Hilma af Klint, and her interest in esoteric symbolism, but also the sense of joyful exploration, and the knowledge that art is an ongoing experiment.