Artwork Page for Composition 28

Details / Information for Composition 28

Composition 28

1952

Charles Elmer Harris

(American, 1917–1993)
Culture
America
Medium
gouache on illustration board
Measurements
Image: 30.2 x 20.2 cm (11 7/8 x 7 15/16 in.); Sheet: 30.2 x 20.2 cm (11 7/8 x 7 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. Roger J. Lerch in Memory of Carl J. Lerch and Winifred J. Lerch Endowment 2021.13
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Charles Elmer Harris later changed his name to Beni E. Kosh to acknowledge his African heritage and conversion to Islam.

Description

Charles Elmer Harris developed his own distinctive form of abstraction during the second half of the twentieth century. This drawing dates from time the artist spent working at Karamu House, an African American cultural center located in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood. The work features a hybrid of rhythmic, angular forms, suggesting the influence of jazz music and African art on Harris. The artist had served in the Marines prior to his artistic career and became deeply passionate about his African heritage after being stationed in North Africa.
A vertically oriented, abstract gouache painting composed of jagged, interlocking shapes features a dark-skinned figure with bright red lips at center right, emerging from a large red form. To our left, light blue and green shards float against a dark maroon background. Upper left, another figure wears a yellow and green headpiece. Bright yellow fills the top right, while mustard and black shapes anchor the bottom of the vibrant, layered composition.

Composition 28

1952

Charles Elmer Harris

(American, 1917–1993)
America

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