Brimming Over With Vibrant Life, Elizabeth Catlett’s Sculptures Command Respect—See Them Here

Show of the Day: At New York's Burning in Water gallery, the late artist's sculptural work practically bursts off its plinths.

Left to right: Elizabeth Catlett's Political Prisoner, Torso, and Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

ELIZABETH CATLETT

“Wake Up In Glory”
Burning in Water, New York
November 28, 2017–February 3, 2018

What the Gallery Says: “The exhibition will focus on the evolution of Catlett’s sculpture, featuring a diverse group of works drawn from across the seven-decade span of the artist’s career, including work in bronze, wood, and marble. The show begins with Catlett’s stately Negro Woman bust. The most recent works in the show were created shortly before the artist’s death in 2012 at the age of 96.”

Why It’s Worth a Look: Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) has quite a legacy, and Burning in Water’s show gives a look at just how vital her interest in sculpture was, with examples from 1946 all the way up to 2010.

What It Looks Like:

Elizabeth Catlett, Negro Woman (1946). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Negro Woman (1946). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Negro Woman (1946). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Negro Woman (1946). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Torso. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Torso. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Left to right: Elizabeth Catlett's<em>Torso</em> and <em>Political Prisoner</em>, Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Left to right: Elizabeth Catlett’s Torso and Political Prisoner, Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett,<em>Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans</em> (2010). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Mahalia Jackson, New Orleans (2010). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, <em>El Canto</em> (1968). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, El Canto (1968). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, <em>Girls</em> (1982). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Girls (1982). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, <em>Torso</em> (2008). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, Torso (2008) and [background] Magic Mask (1970-80). Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, <em>African American Lady</em>. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Elizabeth Catlett, African American Lady. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Installation view of "Elizabeth Catlett: Wake Up in Glory" at Burning in Water. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Installation view of “Elizabeth Catlett: Wake Up in Glory” at Burning in Water. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Poster image for "Elizabeth Catlett: Wake Up in Glory" at Burning in Water. Image courtesy Burning in Water.

Poster image for “Elizabeth Catlett: Wake Up in Glory” at Burning in Water. Image courtesy Burning in Water.


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