Wynn Bullock - Color Light Abstraction 1165 - Featured Image of the Month

COLOR LIGHT ABSTRACTION 1177 (1962)

Commentary by Barbara Bullock-Wilson

One of the primary reasons I'm committed to managing the Bullock photography estate is to keep the artistic legacies of both my parents readily available for new generations to discover and enjoy.

As part of this effort, I decided to write short commentaries about several Wynn Bullock images in the form of letters to two of my great grandchildren – Cameron Rokes, who was born in 2007, and his younger sister Charlotte, who was born in 2011.

Although the letters are addressed to Cam and Charli, the commentaries are really open invitations for young and old alike to engage more actively in the process of viewing and appreciating Bullock imagery.

Here now is the exchange of comments Charli and I shared for the image titled Color Light Abstraction 1177 which was made in 1962.

Dearest Charli –

I think the circle is a wonderful shape. The outside is smooth and curved. There is no beginning and no end. It just goes round and round with everything connected. A circle can feel comforting, like a hug, with no sharp angles or points.

Our eyes have two important circles: the iris – the larger, colored circle, and the pupil – the smaller, dark circle inside the iris. They take in the forms of light by which we see things. They are our built-in windows to the world. A camera works in a similar way. It also has two important circles – the larger lens and the aperture which is the smaller circle that expands and contracts to let the light in. The camera lens with its inner aperture is also a window through which we can look out to the world and make beautiful and interesting pictures of what we see and feel.

Color Light Abstraction 1177 has a circle in the middle of it. It reminds me of our eyes and the camera lens. When I look at the image, I also think of magnifying glasses and microscopes which can help us see tiny, almost invisible things as well as telescopes which can help us see things that are very, very far away. To me, the circle in CLA 1177 makes me feel like I'm looking through it to mysterious and wondrous realms beyond what I can see with my ordinary eyes. It makes me feel the excitement of exploration and discovery.

CLA 1177 also reminds me of another kind of circle. Every month, I host Dances of Universal Peace at our UU Church. People gather in a circle to dance and sing songs of love and peace in many different languages. When we dance, each of us is linked hand and hand, part of a greater whole, sending energy and joy into and around the circle to everyone there. We also see that energy going out in ever-widening circles to embrace the entire earth and all the life it supports. When I dance, I often think of you in the middle of a circle of my love.

When you look at CLA 1177, what do you see? What does the circle make you think of?

There are so many different kinds of circles in the world. In addition to eyes and camera lenses, dance circles and family circles, there are bubbles and full moons and bunny tails; rings and merry-go-rounds; dinner plates and cookies. What are some of your favorite kinds of circles?

With a big, encircling, love-filled hug – Great GrandBarb

Dear Great GrandBarb,

I love your message. This picture makes me think of Jupiter and outer space! It also makes me think of purple grapes! Another thing it reminds me of is a drop of water on a flower petal!

Circles make me think of beads, marbles and polka dots. Polka dots are my favorite!

I miss you and love you a lot!

Love, Charli