Artwork
Eighteen Shoes
Eighteen Shoes is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Abstract artist Barbara Nessim. It dates from 1969 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Barbara Nessim's 1969 watercolour, Eighteen Shoes, presents a diverse array of eighteen shoe designs in a structured grid composition across three rows.
Subject & Meaning
The work showcases a varied selection of shoes, contrasting formal, sporty, and damaged styles, with some incorporating whimsical elements such as rising smoke or attached brushes, suggesting a commentary on consumerism, diversity, and the expressive potential of everyday objects.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece features a vibrant palette with both bold (pink, purple, blue) and muted tones, enhanced by a rainbow stripe at the base, contributing to a playful and dynamic visual aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Created in 1969 by Barbara Nessim, the artwork's provenance and exhibition history are not detailed here, though its style reflects the eclectic and expressive tendencies of late 1960s artistic practices.
Context
Emerging in 1969, Eighteen Shoes aligns with the era's focus on consumer culture and the rising prominence of graphic design and illustration, fields in which Nessim was active.
Legacy
As a work by a prolific artist known for blending fine art and commercial design, Eighteen Shoes contributes to the broader recognition of Nessim's contribution to late 20th-century visual culture, though its specific influence or notable exhibitions are not highlighted in available information.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barbara Nessim (born 1939) is an American artist, illustrator, and educator whose work has played a significant role in expanding the boundaries between illustration, fine art, and digital media.
