The Reflecting Pool
John Buck
"The Reflecting Pool" consists of two contrasting spatial planes set together as foreground and background. In the background, delineated with thin lines, a complex series of pictographs and narrative vignettes unfold, including dreadful, violent, frightening, even Apocalyptic imagery. The scenes appear to relate to human intolerance, historical and contemporary and the folly of fanaticism. These scenes stress an inability of humankind to live in harmony with one another and the built environment. The allusions to religion and other ideological constructs also suggest that humankind's tension over individual difference and a diversity of beliefs will cause its downfall. More specifically, there are numerous references to the events of 9/11 and the subsequent US-led invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Artist
Date of Birth
(b. 1946)
Date
2003-2005
Medium
Color woodcut and pochoir on paper (mulberry)
Dimensions
50 x 37 in. (127 x 93.98 cm.)
Accession #
2007.4
Credit Line
John Lambert Fund
Copyright
© John Buck / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
Category
Subject
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