Sybil Gibson
American, 1908–1995
Since her discovery in the late 1960s, Sybil Gibson's work has been exhibited in over 50 one-woman shows. She has been called a "naive" or "primitive" artist because she is essentially self-taught. Faces, flowers, and female figures, particularly little girls, are common elements in her works, though her compositions vary widely in mood from innocent to disturbing. The faces gison paints look mask-like or doll-like with minimal expression and stylized features, and the brushwork is loose and descriptive; single strokes often serve for outlines or individual features.
The painting in the MMFA collection is from Gibson's "late period", after cataract surgery. Works from this time retain the general characteristics of Gibson's earlier works, particularly minimal backgrounds and a lack of detail. The subject of the MMFA painting is, however, somewhat unusual since it includes a full figure, rather than simply the faces and bust portraits common to this period.
American, 1908–1995
Untitled (Figure)
1994
Object Type:
Painting
Creation Place:
North America, American
Dimensions:
39 9/16 in. x 19 1/4 in. (100.49 cm x 48.9 cm)
Medium and Support:
Tempera on paper
Accession Number:
1995.0006.0001
Credit Line:
Gift of Fred and Theresa Buchanan
Since her discovery in the late 1960s, Sybil Gibson's work has been exhibited in over 50 one-woman shows. She has been called a "naive" or "primitive" artist because she is essentially self-taught. Faces, flowers, and female figures, particularly little girls, are common elements in her works, though her compositions vary widely in mood from innocent to disturbing. The faces gison paints look mask-like or doll-like with minimal expression and stylized features, and the brushwork is loose and descriptive; single strokes often serve for outlines or individual features.
The painting in the MMFA collection is from Gibson's "late period", after cataract surgery. Works from this time retain the general characteristics of Gibson's earlier works, particularly minimal backgrounds and a lack of detail. The subject of the MMFA painting is, however, somewhat unusual since it includes a full figure, rather than simply the faces and bust portraits common to this period.
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