art 103 National Museum of Women in the Arts

The artwork presents a sculptural grouping rendered in a muted, earthy palette primarily composed of beige and cream tones. Here we see a figure, seemingly human, perched atop what appears to be a stylized equine form. The horse is not depicted realistically; its anatomy is distorted, with an elongated neck and a skull-like head that lacks conventional features. It conveys a sense of frantic movement, as if caught mid-stride or struggling against unseen forces.
The rider’s posture is equally tense, arms raised in what could be interpreted as either supplication or defiance. The figures form is simplified, almost skeletal, contributing to the overall feeling of vulnerability and precariousness. Beneath the horse and rider lies a swirling mass of fabric, also rendered in the same muted tones. This drapery appears both supportive and constricting, enveloping the figures and adding to the sense of confinement or entrapment.
The composition’s stark simplicity is amplified by the dark background, which isolates the sculptural grouping and intensifies its dramatic impact. The lighting highlights the textures of the clay – the rough surfaces of the horses head, the folds in the fabric, and the contours of the rider’s body – creating a play of light and shadow that further emphasizes their forms.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of power, control, and struggle. The distorted equine form might symbolize untamed forces or overwhelming challenges, while the rider represents an individual attempting to maintain dominance in a chaotic environment. The enveloping fabric could signify societal pressures, psychological burdens, or the limitations imposed by circumstance. The overall effect is one of unease and ambiguity, prompting reflection on the fragility of human endeavor and the precariousness of existence. The absence of color contributes to a sense of timelessness and universality, suggesting that these themes resonate across cultures and historical periods.