Week #24, Black & White III

Dusti Bongé, Untitled (Two Black Lined Rectangles with Circle), c. 1975, Ink wash on paper, 11” x 13 ½”.

In this series of black & white works by Dusti Bongé we have now seen an early 1950s surrealist ink drawing, with delicately drawn lines and a 1960s abstract expressionist ink wash painting with heavy broad markings. Our third work comes from the 1970s and again is a fine example of a black & white work, and again, has a very different quality. Together, these works are testament to how Dusti’s style kept evolving every decade, because she kept challenging herself.

Ever since the 1950s, when Dusti first embraced abstract expressionism, her work remained abstract. However, the nature of her abstract approach evolved slowly and continuously right up to the end of her career. Hence this work from the 1970s exhibits a more measured methodology than the aggressive, explosive ways of abstract expressionism.

In this composition we have well defined forms, patterns, rhythmic brush strokes, and clearly juxtaposed elements. Two vertical rectangles (technically trapezoids) of similar proportions are linked by an overlapping, smaller, and much narrower, horizontally oriented rectangle. All three of the rectangles are clearly outlined, thus offering Dusti the opportunity to play within their interiors. This she does, with the vertical trapezoids receiving a sparse horizontal striped pattern, and the horizontal rectangle having an uneven, light ink interior. The stripes are applied with a single, broad, and rather dry, brush stroke.

The left rectangle has heavily outlined vertical edges, unlike its top and bottom edges, thus creating a more confined interior area. In contrast, the right rectangle is very lightly outlined, and its top and bottom are simply defined by its horizontal stripes, resulting in a looser more porous presence.

The whole composition of overlapping forms is ultimately anchored with one small, solid black circle, which sits right at the intersection of the horizontal form and the edge of the left rectangle Though not at the center, it is nonetheless the focal point of the work. And finally, there is the black dot, with its little echoes, in the bottom right, seemingly outside the main composition.