Hand and Tree

Photograph

-

The Art & History Museums of Maitland

The image shows tree-like branches intertwined with strings and a hand reaching through.

The image shows tree-like branches intertwined with strings and a hand reaching through.

Name/Title

Hand and Tree

Entry/Object ID

1000.001.151

Description

"An experiment in patterning by the use of actual tree branches which were painted a bright red and then laced with green cords, the whole set against a dead black background. The note of surrealism by the introduction of a hand with extended fingers accentuates the idea of growth." Attilio Banca....1938

Context

In 1938, artist J. André Smith exhibited a series of bold experiments at the Research Studio—24 “eye-openers” that challenged what he called the “well-behaved and disgustingly normal” state of art. These images revisit that moment of creative risk and reinvention. While the original constructions were temporary, Smith and Attilio “Duke” Banca documented each work, preserving what Smith described as their “first season of experimental work.”

Collection

Smith Collection (MAA)

Cataloged By

Bianca Fazio

Acquisition

Accession

1000.001

Made/Created

Artist Information

Duke Banca
J. André Smith

Date made

1938

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Back upper left corner

Transcription

An experiment in patterning by the use of actual tree branches which were painted a bright red and then laced with green cords, the whole set against a dead black background. The note of surrealism by the introduction of a hand with extended fing-ers accentuates the idea of growth. Attilio Banca....1938