Inside and Outside 1966

Emma Amos created this print, “Inside and Outside,” using vibrant color and simplified forms. The composition is divided into two distinct zones. On the left, we see an abstracted outdoor scene dominated by blues and greens and, to the right, an interior marked by reds and yellows. This division isn't just a visual trick; it speaks to a deeper exploration of boundaries and thresholds. The use of color is particularly striking here. Notice how Amos uses blocks of flat, unmodulated color to define space and form. This flattening of perspective challenges our conventional understanding of depth. It questions the very nature of representation. What are the semiotic implications when the outside is blue and the inside is red? Consider how this piece might destabilize our assumptions about public and private space. Amos invites us to question the values and categories that structure our understanding of the world. This work doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it provides a visual space for ongoing dialogue and interpretation.