“Sublimation,” created by Louise Bourgeois in 2002, is a symbolic painting associated with the Confessional Art movement. The dimensions of the artwork measure 104.6 x 147.7 cm. In this piece, Bourgeois explores personal themes through her distinctive style.
The artwork consists of two primary sections. On the left side, swirling, circular patterns are meticulously drawn in shades of red, conveying a sense of movement and depth. These abstract forms evoke an emotional resonance, suggesting a sublimation of feelings through their intricate and repetitive design. The right side of the artwork features a handwritten text, adding an element of personal narrative. The handwriting reads:
“and the parents went on
fighting with each and days
awful awful awful
nobody could do anything
about it
they had to learn their
lessons you know, parents
fighting they have to forget”
This juxtaposition of visual abstraction and textual revelation effectively embodies the essence of Confessional Art, where intimate experiences and emotional states are expressed candidly. The harmonious yet contrasting elements underscore the internal conflict and the process of transformation inherent in sublimation.
