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Not Real But Wanting To Be
1999
72 x 48 in. (182.88 x 121.92 cm)
Raymond Saunders (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1934 - )
Collection Highlights, November 2, 2002 - September 12, 2004, New Wing, Gibson Family Gallery and Plaza Gallery, First Floor, San José Museum of Art.
Is the Medium the Message?: Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection, March 2, 2002 - June 2, 2002, New Wing, Metro A, Skylight and South Galleries, Second Floor, San José Museum of Art.
Black History Month, February 3, 2003 - Februrary 28, 2003, Gibson Family Gallery, San José Museum of Art.
Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection, July 30, 2007 - September 9, 2007, San José Museum of Art.
Collections Highlights (2002-2004)
Raymond Saunder’s eclectic and layered works tell stories drawn from his own life, specifically memories of his years in Pittsburgh and New York. His trademark motifs—handbills, signs, blackboards, comics, and still lifes—allude to current and past events, and his ideas about culture, poverty, family, religion, people, and places.
As the title suggests, Saunders is also playing with notions of reality and illusion. He presents a painting—the vase of flowers—within a painting, and the impression of chalk on a blackboard. A closer look reveals that the easel is partially “real” (the wooden ledge) and partially painted. Our lives, Saunders suggests, are a complex mix of fact and fiction—depending on how we choose to perceive our surroundings and ourselves.
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Not Real But Wanting To Be
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Not Real But Wanting To Be
Mixed Media (2D)
199972 x 48 in. (182.88 x 121.92 cm)
Raymond Saunders (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1934 - )
Object Type: Mixed Media (2D)
Medium and Support: Mixed media on slate
Credit Line: Museum purchase with funds from the Board of Trustees and Friends of Josi Callan in honor of former director Josi Callan (1992 - 1999)
Accession Number: 1999.20
Exhibition
Collection Highlights, November 2, 2002 - September 12, 2004, New Wing, Gibson Family Gallery and Plaza Gallery, First Floor, San José Museum of Art.
Is the Medium the Message?: Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection, March 2, 2002 - June 2, 2002, New Wing, Metro A, Skylight and South Galleries, Second Floor, San José Museum of Art.
Black History Month, February 3, 2003 - Februrary 28, 2003, Gibson Family Gallery, San José Museum of Art.
Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection, July 30, 2007 - September 9, 2007, San José Museum of Art.
SJMA Label Text
Collections Highlights (2002-2004)
Raymond Saunder’s eclectic and layered works tell stories drawn from his own life, specifically memories of his years in Pittsburgh and New York. His trademark motifs—handbills, signs, blackboards, comics, and still lifes—allude to current and past events, and his ideas about culture, poverty, family, religion, people, and places.
As the title suggests, Saunders is also playing with notions of reality and illusion. He presents a painting—the vase of flowers—within a painting, and the impression of chalk on a blackboard. A closer look reveals that the easel is partially “real” (the wooden ledge) and partially painted. Our lives, Saunders suggests, are a complex mix of fact and fiction—depending on how we choose to perceive our surroundings and ourselves.
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Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions: - Is the Medium the Message?: Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection , 3/2/2002 - 6/2/2002
Dimensions
- Image Dimensions: 72 x 48 in. (182.88 x 121.92 cm)
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