There was a highly distinctive and vibrant period in the U.S. art world specifically focused on patterns, known as the Pattern and Decoration Movement. This movement emerged in the mid-1970s and lasted until the mid-1980s, serving as an explicit reaction against the prevailing art trend of the time.
During the 1960s and early ‘70s, the Western art world was heavily dominated by minimalism and conceptualism, which favored austere, clean, and often cold or intellectual designs. Critics and institutions frequently dismissed decorative elements, wallpaper motifs, textiles, and craftwork as trivial, superficial, or domestic women’s work.
In response, a diverse group of artists deliberately championed maximum ornamentation and found inspiration in a rich variety of sources. Islamic tile work, Persian carpets, Japanese woodblocks, Mexican mosaics, and Celtic illuminations. They also found inspiration in domestic crafts, quilting, embroidery, and wallpaper designs, reclaiming techniques historically marginalized by the art establishment. The philosophy was to view patterns as more than mere background detail.
P&D artists covered canvases from edge to edge in all-encompassing, intricate layouts where there was no distinction between foreground and background. Central figures included Miriam Shapiro, Joyce Kozloff, Valerie Jaudon, and Robert Kushner.
Though it fell out of favor by the late 1980s, the movement is now widely recognized as a crucial precursor to postmodernism, successfully breaking down the rigid boundaries between high art and craft.
WATER CYCLE, 1978
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 2 panels, 54” x 44” each
Overall Size: 54” x 88”
Because there is liquid water here on Mother Earth, there is life as we know it. We marvel at the water cycle, where water evaporates to the atmosphere to form clouds that eventually deliver the water back to earth, which, in turn, replenishes the lakes and oceans . Let us bow in gratitude for this magnificent natural system so vital to all of life on earth.
CLOUDS, 1980
Media: Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 2 panels, 54” x 44” each
Overall Size: 54” x 88”
Each little water droplet or particle has an identity.
Each cloud has its purpose and job to serve on Mother Earth. They also provide humans with glorious shows of movement and dance. Let us honor and rejoice in the majesty of our home, the sky, the fields, the trees, our Dear Mother Earth.
FOREST TEMPLE, 1978
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 44" x 54” Single Panel
Move towards the light and you will see the marvelous beauty and order in Nature. Make your way towards the light and you will find the Tao of all creation.
TIBETAN SUN, 1978
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 48" x 48” Single Panel
Gaze into the Sun and you may find yourself. The Giver of All Life does not discriminate, but shines upon everything and everyone equally. Can we humans do the same?
STARBURST, 1979
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 44" x 55” Single Panel
See the energy and the light. It is everywhere - not only out in the cosmos but inside our bodies. Acknowledge it, honor it, feel it. Know that we are made of the same stuff. Each of us is one with the Universe.
HALDANE'S SOUP, 1980
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 4 panels, 30” x 42” each
Overall Size: 62” x 86”
This is the primordial soup. The pre-biotic ocean formed a hot dilute soup. And when sunlight struck the inorganic matter, it created organic molecules which gave rise to life as we know it.
WAVE PARTICLE, 1980
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 48" x 36” Single Panel
All is energy. However, all energy vibrates at different levels. Everything moves and never stops. It all goes on continuously. The wave particles in everyone’s body also continues. Life never stops.
THE SOUND OF SPACE, 1982
Media: Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 48” x 60” Single Panel
Take time to experience the sound of space? Go to a quiet place and close your eye and open your heart. The sounds of space will come to you. You will know it when you hear it.
WINTER PINE, 1981
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 44" x 54” Single Panel
In the dead of winter, the pine is evergreen. There is no time to rest for this stately tree, for one of its life’s purposes is to provide food and shelter for the myriad creatures in its environment.
We love you, Pine.
DANCING DANDELIONS, 1982
Media: Oil & Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 3 panels, 36” x 36” each
Overall Size: 36” x 108”
Dancing dandelions, you have reason to be happy. You are most strong and vigorous; you share this strength with all that partake of your leaves, roots and flowers. You are the king of herbs; a plant on Mother Earth that bestows an abundance of health benefits. May all come to know you.
STRAWBERRY FIELD #1, 1984
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 3 panels, 42” x 30” each
Overall Size: 42” x 90”
In early summer in upstate New York, fields burst with lush red strawberries. The berries were as nature intended. They are not overly fertilized, not unnaturally large, but allowed to ripen to a deep dark color that attests to their rich, full flavor. The Divine shows us Nature’s abundance and generosity as the plants dance and produce with joy.
STRAWBERRY FIELD #2, 1984
Media: Acrylic on Canvas
Composite: 3 panels, 42” x 30” each
Overall Size: 42” x 90”
Yum—, Strawberries, one of our favorite fruits. How graceful and persistent it strives for life and to produce fruit.This is for Strawberry II in Nature’s Patterns