Call For Entries: Pure Color, Bright Light: Works Inspired by Henri Matisse

The Post-Impressionist painting of Henri Matisse is revolutionary, both in its unorthodox use of color and expressive content. His work is clearly representational, but his use of vivid contrasting colors to define his forms is a radical shift from traditional shading techniques, and the intense effect led his new art movement to be dubbed Fauvism (“wild beasts” in French). He used color to imbue his subjects with emotion and positivity. Joy, pleasure, and contentment are the feelings most often associated with Matisse’s work.

Matisse is well known for his fondness for the human form, for still life, and for conveying a sense of place in his sun-drenched landscapes and interiors. As his career progressed, Matisse incorporated decorative techniques into his works, at first surreptitiously adding tiny slivers of paper into his painted compositions, then more boldly in his paper cut-outs. These paper cut-outs employed his trademark wild colors as well, in patterns that simultaneously delighted and unsettled the viewer.

Artists’ works for this call for entries should avoid imitation of Matisse, but rather take inspiration from his palette, subject matter, and emotional expression. All media will be considered.