The Gravity of Color

The Gravity of Color

The Gravity of Color, New Britain, 2008. Lisa Hoke (b. 1952). Plastic and paper cups, paint and hardware. Stephen B. Lawrence Fund and the Edwin Austin Abbey Mural Fund of the National Academy of Design

Lisa Hoke’s idea of using “found” materials for her work is both an intriguing and unique concept. However, many people question its stance as “fine art.” Isn’t one of the main componenets of contemporary art the idea of pusing the boundaries? Can already machine-processed items be seen as art? Or is fine art restricted to painting, drawing, and sculpture?

When an artist reuses items in order to achieve a higher purpose in art, the final work is often captivating in a way that a two dimensional painting cannot be. Finding repeating patterns-like those in Hoke’s work-in installation and sculptural art links us not only to the material world, but also to the cellular processes of nature. Every piece has a function that helps with the biology of the overall system. There is something organic and fresh about it that makes this type of art fascinating.