1. Comparative Study • Nazareth Torres •
This comparative study brings to light two different artists for a total of four different works. The artists included have coinciding and differing qualities including the art movement they pertain to, their intention, their intended audience, among other qualities. Throughout this presentation, I will also be evaluating the cultural significance of the art works, their functions and purpose, and their formal qualities. I used the artists Elizabeth Catlett as inspiration for my work. Finally, I included local Milwaukee artist Sara Risley whose work I have admired since I first saw it fall of 2016.

2. Evaluation of Cultural Significance of Elizabeth Catlett
Elizabeth Catlett was an Afro-Mexican social realism artist who primarily made sculptures and prints. Catlett was born in 1915, meaning she faced many struggles as a woman of color. She studied art at Howard university after being denied admission into Carnegie Institute of Technology. (1) Thus began her career in art. She graduated in 1935 and later studied sculpture at the University of Iowa. In 1946, she was offered a job in Mexico city as a printmaker in the
Taller de Gráfica Popular, which were a group of influential political artists. (3)
Elizabeth Catlett took inspiration from her experiences as a woman of color, as
well as from the stories her grandparents, whom were slaves, told her about working in
plantations. “I have always wanted my art to service my people — to reflect us, to relate
to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential.” (2) Most of her work, if not all,
somehow makes a socio-political statement and demands attention. Her work was
made not only to uplift the minorities, but also for the non-oppressed to better understand
the problems they faced so they could help fix them.
“I am black, a woman, a sculptor, and a printmaker. I am also married, the mother
of three sons, and the grandmother of seven little girls and a boy. I was born in the United
States and have lived in Mexico since I believe that all these states of being have
influenced my work and made it what you see today. I am inspired by black people and
Mexican people, my two peoples. My art speaks for both my peoples.” (2)
(1)

3. “Negro es Bello II” by Elizabeth Catlett
Interpretation of Function and Purpose:
Annotation of “Negro es Bello II” by Elizabeth Catlett
The faces use value to create form and give the piece a serious and somewhat sad tone
The difference in color from the prints on the bottom and the stickers placed on top of it create contrast.
Based on the features of the people and the stickers we can determine the people on the print are black
The placement of the stickers create a sense of rhythm and movement
The writing on the stickers, “Black is Beautiful” gives the piece historical context; in the past, black people have been mistreated because of their complexion
Though the piece has varying hues and tones, emphasis is drawn to the faces as the pattern used throughout the rest of the piece stops to display the faces
There is also a sense of balance as the space not occupied by the stickers has the faces on it and each takes up roughly half the space
“Negro es Bello II” by Elizabeth Catlett
(4)

4. Homage to the panthers by Elizabeth Catlett
Interpretation of Function and Purpose:
Annotation of “Homage to the Panthers”
For historical context, the panthers were a party that was funded to protect minorities against the US government during the Civil Rights Movement
The black and white creates contrast and the two faces create a sense of balance
Color is used only emphasize the major components of what the Black Panthers stood for
Repetition is used throughout the piece with the fists and the faces, further proving a point
Space is used between the shapes in the collage and in turn this creates unity throughout the piece
There is a sense of movement in this collage because of all the different pictures used and each one demand to be paid attention to
Homage to the panthers by Elizabeth Catlett
(5)

5. Analysis of Formal Qualities of Elizabeth Catlett

6. Evaluation of Cultural Significance of Sara Risley

7. Skin Deep #9 by Sara Risley
Interpretation of Function and Purpose
Annotation of “Skin Deep #9” by Sara Risley
Skin Deep #9 by Sara Risley

8. Analysis of Formal Qualities of Sara Risley

9. Comparing Cultural Context of “Negro es Bello II”, “Homage to the Panthers”, and “Skin Deep #9”

10. Comparing Cultural Context of “Negro es Bello II”, “Homage to the Panthers”, and “Skin Deep #9”

11. Comparing Formal Qualities of “Negro es Bello II”, “Homage to the Panthers”, and “Skin Deep #9”

12. Comparing Formal Qualities of “Negro es Bello II”, “Homage to the Panthers”, and “Skin Deep #9”

13. Comparing Function and Purpose of “Negro es Bello II”, “Homage to the Panthers”, and “Skin Deep #9”

14. Comparing Function and Purpose of “Negro es Bello II”, “Homage to the Panthers”, and “Skin Deep #9”

15. Bibliography
Association, C. A. (n.d.). Awards. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from Photograph by D.G. Lemeh
Quotd.org. (n.d.). Elizabeth Catlett quotes . Retrieved March 13, 2017, from
National Museum of Women in the Arts. (2014). Elizabeth Catlett. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from
2017 March 13, Negro es Bello II. New York, New York. Elizabeth Catlett
2017 March 14, Homage to the Panthers. New York, New York. Elizabeth Catlett