Brace

by Ellen Gallagher

Artist Ellen Gallagher (USA, född 1965)

Alternate Title

Stötta

Date1997

MediumOil on paper mounted on canvas

DimensionsBildmått: 178 × 122 cm

ClassificationPaintings

Credit LineDonation 1998 from Kerstin Bonnier and Pontus Bonnier

Countries

United States

Object NumberMOM 833

The artwork is not on display

About the artworkAt a distance “Brace” appears to be an abstract composition, where large fields of minute markings, like dots, swarm against a beige background and form a pattern. At closer range, we can see that the painted dots look like round eyes, thick-lipped mouths, and blonde-haired women’s faces in profile sticking their tongues out – racist caricatures and stereotype female images. Gallagher combines imagery from myths, science fiction and history, to highlight major social issues, often relating to ethnicity or skin colour. She employs symbols, codes and pictograms repetitively, and makes use of the materials’ inherent qualities and expression. Often, she draws and paints on paper and then glues the sheets to the canvas.
Selected exhibition history Samlingsutställning 2019-2022 (den 1 februari 2019 - den 27 augusti 2023) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Motstånd/ MOMA möter Moderna 1960-2000 (2001) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Sju rum och en trädgård. Rashid Johnson och Moderna Museets samling (den 28 september 2023 - den 22 september 2024) Moderna Museet, Stockholm

Works by the artist