Color Outside the Lines

Color Outside the Lines, from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, features the work of 18 contemporary artists who have used color to question institutions, beliefs, and expectations.

A debate in the field of art history centers around the dominance of form versus color. From ancient Greece to modern times, artists and critics have weighed which element holds greater significance. In his book Chromophobia (2000), artist and writer David Batchelor argues that color is often linked with groups that have traditionally faced discrimination within mainstream society, including women, people of color, and queer communities. This exhibition aims to explore whether such groups can reclaim color as a tool for challenging established norms.

Some of the artists in the exhibition celebrate and amplify colors intrinsic to their cultures, showcasing beauty once dismissed or rendered invisible. Artists like Faith Ringgold and Christopher Myers, for instance, create works inspired by African quilts and stories; these pieces emphasize the vivid contrasts in color often prevalent in African textiles. Other artists employ color to confront stereotypes and subvert expectations. Derrick Adams’s Eye Candy (2022) incorporates images of a Black man wearing brightly colored leotards; these images are borrowed from 1970s underwear advertisements, prompting contemplation of ideas around masculinity, sexuality, and who is considered worthy of being portrayed.

Furthermore, some artists utilize color as a tool to challenge institutions or to assert control. Caitlin Cherry’s Fruit Molotov Cocktail (2017) depicts a dying clay figure against the backdrop of a blazing colonial New England home, a symbol of the dismantling of colonial structures.

Artists include Derrick Adams, Polly Apfelbaum, Antonius-Tín Bui, Iván Carmona, Lauren Hana Chai, Caitlin Cherry, Sam Gilliam, Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds, Ana María Hernando, Jenny Holzer, Salomón Huerta, Anish Kapoor, James Lavadour, Christopher Myers, Faith Ringgold, Isaka Shamsud-Din, Andy Warhol, and Stanley Whitney.

Color Outside the Lines is curated by Maryanna G. Ramirez. Support for this exhibition is provided by Jordan Schnitzer and the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, JSMA Exhibition Circle, Richard and Helen Phillips Charitable Fund, and Elements Roofing.