Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is a triptych?

What is a triptych?

A triptych is an artwork divided into three sections or panels, often hinged together, allowing it to be displayed open or folded shut. It is a type of polyptych, a term for multi-panel artworks. Typically, the central panel is the largest, flanked by two smaller panels, although some triptychs have panels of equal size. Triptychs have been historically significant in religious art but are also used in contemporary works.

Queer aesthetics

Queer Aesthetics refers to an art movement that emerged in the 1980s, focusing on themes of homosexuality, lesbianism, and broader issues of identity and gender. This movement gained momentum in the context of the AIDS crisis and the feminist movement, challenging traditional representations of sexuality and gender. Queer Aesthetics often explores the fluidity of gender and identity, as seen in the works of artists like Nan Goldin, who is known for her photography of individuals with ambiguous or non-conforming gender presentations.

Light and Space

The Light and Space Movement refers to loosely affiliated art movements connected to minimalism, geometric abstraction, and op art that originated in Southern California in the 1960s. Greatly influenced by artist John McLaughlin, these artists focused on sensory phenomena such as light, perception, and space as central elements of their work. They also incorporated cutting-edge technologies from the aerospace and engineering industries to develop light-filled and sensuous objects, creating immersive experiences that emphasize the viewer's perception.

Mail art

Mail Art is a populist art movement centered on the creation and exchange of small-scale artworks through the postal service. It developed out of the Fluxus movement in the 1950s and 1960s and has since evolved into a global art movement. Ray Johnson is recognized as the first mail artist, and his New York School is considered the first network of mail artists. Mail artists rely heavily on a network to exchange their works, often creating a community of artists connected through the postal system.

Can't find your Answer?