The artwork entitled “Smithsonian Resident Associates Program 1985 (20th Anniversary Poster)” was crafted in the year 1985 by the artist Gene Davis. This work belongs to the Color Field Painting movement, and it is a poster created to commemorate an anniversary. The genre of this work aligns with its practical use as a celebratory medium as well as its artistic value.
The composition is characterized by a methodical alignment of vertical stripes of varying widths and colors. The background is a deep, solid black that serves to enhance and contrast the vibrant and diverse color palette employed in the stripes. These stripes are evenly distributed across the canvas, creating a rhythmic and harmonious visual impact. The selection of colors ranges from primary hues to more muted and pastel tones, interacting to elicit a sense of movement and energy. The starkness of the black backdrop further accentuates the precision with which the stripes are arranged, and the entire artwork manifests a meticulous balance between color, form, and the implied spatial depth. The simplicity of the form belies a complex interaction of color and space, which is emblematic of the Color Field Painting movement that emphasizes the vast, flat planes of color and abstract forms to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.
