“Fetishes” is an artwork by Alexander Calder, dating back to 1944, during which time Calder was influenced by the Surrealism and Abstract Art movements. The piece is abstract in genre, showcasing Calder’s foray into painting as a medium alongside his better-known work in sculpture and mobiles.
The painting is characterized by bold colors and abstract shapes that create a vivid and dynamic composition. The background of the painting features an interplay between bright yellow and green hues, which gradient into red tones at the top. Central to the artwork is a butterfly-like shape with a patterned design outlined in blue and filled with bright red and yellow colors, suggesting a sense of movement and fluidity. To the right, there is a series of abstract shapes that resemble elongated figures or totems, colored predominantly in black, with the central figure connected to the yellow curved line that intersects the painting.
On the bottom left, there is a stark white circular shape, which contrasts with the rest of the painting’s vibrant colors and stands out as a focal point, drawing attention to its simple, geometric form. Directly adjacent to this is a whimsical, red spiral line adding movement to the piece. The abstract nature of the elements within the painting invites the viewer to interpret the art through their own lens, with the possibility that these shapes represent personal or symbolic references, which was typical of artworks within the Surrealism movement.
Overall, Calder’s work in “Fetishes” integrates the use of color, shape, and line to create an abstract and evocative image that plays with the viewer’s perception, encouraging a personal connection and interpretation of the various elements within the painting.
