Into the Public Domain: A Journey Through Art History

In Siblings (1930), Paul Klee channels the dreamlike language of Surrealism into a tender and abstract meditation on human connection. Composed in oil on canvas, the work arranges interlocking, softly curved shapes that hint at two figures whose identities dissolve into one another, evoking the intimate bond suggested by the title. Klee’s muted earth tones and warm yellow backdrop create an atmosphere of quiet interiority, while sparse facial cues and dots that read as eyes offer just enough definition to anchor the viewer in the realm of portraiture. A small red heart punctuates the composition, adding emotional resonance to the otherwise fluid, symbol‑laden forms. In characteristic fashion, Klee lets geometry, rhythm, and subconscious imagery guide the viewer toward meaning rather than fixing a literal narrative, producing a portrait that is less about likeness and more about the invisible ties that shape our closest relationships.

Features

With These Hands: In Conversation with Lia Newman

As Davidson College continues to reckon publicly with its historical ties to enslavement and racial exploitation, few people have been as closely involved in shaping that work as Lia Newman.

Hank Willis Thomas: We The People

Recently on view at the Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College, Hank Willis Thomas’ We The People was a visually arresting exhibition that paired formal rigor with conceptual urgency

Harmonia Rosales: Reclaiming Mythology Through Art and Story

At a recent book signing and conversation, celebrated visual artist Harmonia Rosales shared the deeply personal journey behind her new work – a project that bridges painting and literature to reimagine African cosmology within the Western canon.

Words of Wisdom

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”

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