Los Mailou Jones Visual Techniques

631 Words2 Pages

African American artist Los Mailou Jones was a trailblazing icon whose work was showcased throughout seven decades, demonstrating her ability to work in a range of styles and techniques. Jones, who was born in Boston in 1905, experienced racial discrimination early in her career, which affected her choice to relocate to Paris in the 1930s. There, she was inspired by the city's thriving art scene. The skill with which Jones uses color, structure, and the blending of Caribbean and African inspirations are characteristics of her work. She used her painting as a platform for action and celebration, frequently illustrating topics related to African American identity, history, and culture. Jones's paintings were displayed in well-known galleries …show more content…

Her use of a vivid color scheme that combines warm yellows, rich purples, and deep blues to create a sense of mystery and fascination shows off her mastery of color. Jones's use of color is symbolic, suggesting the masquerade's midnight atmosphere and possibly referring to the moonlit scene that the title suggests. The dramatic impact is heightened by the contrast between the light-colored mask and accessories and the black background, which highlights the main figure.Jones also enhances the visual impact of "Moon Masque" with her use of shape and line. A sense of movement and rhythm is produced by the headdress's elaborate patterns and the mask's broad, sweeping curves, which give the artwork a more dynamic quality. The art piece achieves perfect balance because of the contrast between the natural, flowing forms and the geometric shapes and sharp lines of the mask and surrounding objects. Overall, Lois Mailou Jones's creative use of color, line, and shape in "Moon Masque" results in a visually appealing and culturally rich piece of art that inspires viewers to explore its layers of cultural and symbolic

Open Document