Double Team
Artist
Tom Burckhardt
(American, born 1964)
Date2005
MediumEnamel paint on panel
DimensionsOverall: 40 x 20 inches (101.6 x 50.8 cm)
Credit LinePurchase: acquired through the generosity of the William T. Kemper Foundation–Commerce Bank, Trustee
Object number2006.1
SignedReverse in black marker: Tom Burckhardt | 2005
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThis painting is a composition of colored squares, stripes, and zig-zagging lines in bright colors. One of its striking features is a linear motif that looks like an abstract kind of calligraphy painted in a vivid red. Also unique and juxtaposed with predominately abstract patterning, are two realistically depicted workmen wearing caps and tool belts, just at the lower edge of the canvas. They appear to be carrying a large beige square with coubles as a kind of construction material.Gallery LabelTom Burckhardt's Double Team represents his signature style-an abstract composition of energetic patterns and bright colors interwoven with passages of realism.
In the lower register of Double Team, the large square of warm beige doubles as an abstract element and construction material. Burckhardt manipulates scale and spatial relationships, representing diminutive workmen with caps and tool belts, who labor to construct the composition of the work of art in which they are depicted.
The postmodern Double Team, borrows freely from earlier styles-ziz-zagging lines and stripes from Pattern & Decoration and OP Art, squares of color from Hans Hofmann, and the vertical format of Chinese landscape painting. The red calligraphic line recalls Abstract Expressionism, except here, the stylized gesture is a carefully planned, formulaic drip.
In the lower register of Double Team, the large square of warm beige doubles as an abstract element and construction material. Burckhardt manipulates scale and spatial relationships, representing diminutive workmen with caps and tool belts, who labor to construct the composition of the work of art in which they are depicted.
The postmodern Double Team, borrows freely from earlier styles-ziz-zagging lines and stripes from Pattern & Decoration and OP Art, squares of color from Hans Hofmann, and the vertical format of Chinese landscape painting. The red calligraphic line recalls Abstract Expressionism, except here, the stylized gesture is a carefully planned, formulaic drip.
Copyright© Tom Burckhardt
Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information,
is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete.
Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a
particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum.
If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image,
please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.
