Algeria 1982

Gene Davis, a Washington, D.C. painter, made this painting, "Algeria," using stripes of color to evoke an emotional response. Davis was part of a movement that sought to define American art outside of the New York art scene. He developed his signature stripe paintings during a time when issues of race and identity were intensely debated. The Civil Rights Act had just passed, so you can understand this work in the context of shifting social and political landscapes. The bands of color here avoid traditional representation, rather, they propose alternative ways of seeing and feeling. Davis, when speaking about his stripe paintings, said that they were simply about color and space. The simplicity of "Algeria" encourages us to consider how fundamental elements like color and form can shape our perceptions and emotional states. The artwork reflects the social issues, while emphasizing the personal and emotional dimensions of our experiences.