for all the folks

10 Martin Luther King Jr. Works by Malcah Zeldis

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, enjoy ten beautifully illustrated, colorful, vibrant, and striking works by Malcah Zeldis.

Per Fort Gansevoort: “Malcah Zeldis began her artistic practice in the late 1960s, producing folk-art inspired works centered on themes related to urban life and Jewish practices, biblical narratives, and historical figures. She has devoted most of her attention to the latter, dedicating many series to such prominent 20th century leaders as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi.”

“Throughout her career, the artist has developed a distinctive visual style characterized by vibrant color, deceptively simplified figures, and flattened perspective that in some cases challenges the viewer’s perception of space. The human body is often dramatically scaled – outsized or made minuscule — and paired with conventional settings and objects, creating an intriguing formal dissonance. By deploying these visual codes, Zeldis reformulates her subject matter with eccentric flair, and establishes a symbolic milieu all her own.”

These works were part of an online exhibiton at Fort Gansevoort in 2001, curated by Ariella Wolens.

Every day you can find a brand new piece of folk, self-taught, outsider or visionary art from one of the leading museums, galleries, and collections from across the world. For even more art, follow @folkartwork on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to the “This Week in Outsider Art” newsletter on Substack for two opportunities a week to see even more art, views of my personal collection, finds of the week and a list of must-see shows from across the country.

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