Note Type
Antony Hayton, Exhibit DirectorNote
Mary Ann Carroll (1940-2019)
Pastel Pond
Oil On Upson Board Circa Late 1960s
Image Size 24" X 36"
Mary Ann Carroll took the road less traveled as the only female member of the groundbreaking Florida Highwaymen group. Shockingly, she has yet to appear in any major tabloid or publication featuring prominent American female landscape artists. This omission raises the question of why her unique journey has yet to be chronicled in the mainstream. Is her exclusion partly due to the Highwaymen's origins outside the formal "art world?" The narrative of the Highwaymen undoubtedly serves as a poignant reminder of the uncomfortable legacy of Jim Crow, racism, and bigotry. This historical context remains pertinent in contemporary discussions regarding diversity and inclusion.
Ms Carroll's distinctive study in pink and blue presents an isolated backwater savanna, characterized by her unique color palette featuring pastel clouds with a thick application of paint and moody blues throughout. In the foreground, twisted oak branches provide a habitat for draping Spanish moss. Additionally, one side of the painting prominently displays a characteristic "C" shape, emblematic of Highwaymen landscapes, complemented by a depiction of fast-growing grass in the foreground. The colors and presentation reflect Mary Ann Carroll's imaginative interpretation, culminating in a compelling pastel study from her most passionate era.