I recently wrote a story about the work and writings of the late artist Jack Whitten for artnet, and in his book called “Notes From the Woodshed”, he shares an interesting recount of a fabric shopping experience with his brother Bill that had a profound impact on the artist.
Jack Whitten dedicated one of his works to his brother Bill after his death in 2006; it’s a pink and white mosaic painting made with square chips of cut acrylic that shine with a subtle shimmer as you walk by the piece.
In a subtle way, Jack Whitten’s painting mimics the radiance of his brother’s designs; that use iridescent beadwork that makes garments sing on their own. I love the homage Whitten the painter pays to Whitten the designer, illuminating their shared passion for creativity.
Stumbling on connections like this remind us to pause to think about the legends behind the scenes whose stories frequently go untold; Bill Whitten’s stunning work is no exception.
Culture Shock Art 