2018 Catalogue Archive

An explosion of dots, dashes, and outlines radiates out from the center of this electric work by Barbara Takenaga. Cosmic forces and natural elements are sources of inspiration for the artist, though she seldom depicts them literally, instead choosing to create dynamic abstract compositions that hint at, rather than point to, these phenomena. Here, a deep red background suggests the depth of outer space, and upon closer inspection one can see not just the dots that hint at stars, but also the complex outlines activating the negative space. Takenaga’s work has been exhibited at museums throughout the US, and in 2017 a 20-year survey of her work was held at the Williams College Museum of Art.