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Museum object · Visual Arts

Figure (abstract)

1952

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A mimeograph reproduction of Figure (abstract), by Keith Simons for the Committee for the Negro in the Arts, Art Workshop Folio. Printed in black ink on white paper, it is a reproduction of a surrealist charcoal drawing depicting an abstract, anthropomorphic figure. The figure has a torso, limbs, and a head that resemble stacked rocks. The largest rock shapes form the figures’ hips, chest, and head while the top of the figures thighs are smaller rocks, as are the shoulder, arm, and hand. The figure appears to be in profile with their body, facing the right edge of the drawing and their head turned towards the viewer. The rock shape that forms the head has closed eyes, sharp cheekbones, thin lips, and a pointed chin. A smaller rock above the head gives the appearance of hair pulled into a top-knot.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2023.117.2.13

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