Sue Williams

Interpretation 

In this painting, male and female figures are rendered in black on white in a cartoonish manner. Artist Sue Williams frequently distorts the human form, exaggerating and isolating body parts. This stylistic approach is intensified by her dynamic, mostly abstract compositions, which suggest the intersection of violence and sexuality. 

Acquisition details 

This work was acquired through the Helen M. Danforth Acquisition Fund. According to a memorial text published by RISD after her passing in 1984, Danforth established the fund “to provide a perpetual source of funding” for RISD Museum acquisitions. This fund supports the purchase of works that the museum’s curators or director identify as priorities for the collection. 

–Dominic Molon, Richard Brown Baker Curator of Contemporary Art