Tatlin in Egypt

Photograph of Roberto Chabet's Tatlin in Egypt, from his solo exhibition, 'Russian Paintings,' at Luz Gallery in 1984.

The exhibition features a set of five works, which are also referred to as Russian Paintings. It is the first in a series of works that utilised plywood as a material and subject for painting. Referring to the painting reliefs of Vladimir Tatlin and other works by the Russian Constructivists, the series featured raw, unpainted plywood cut in squares and strips, which were then arranged in a modular manner. The seemingly formal sequence and linearity are broken up by panels painted with a primary colour. Flatness is contrasted by lines of shelves that jut out from the wall, supported by metal brackets. Box-framed objects provide finer hints — a pocket atlas spread open to reveal areas around Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East, where Tatlin traveled to during his days as a sailor, and a small paper boat made from a map.

Alternative title

Russian Painting

Access level

Online

practitioner
documenter
Publication/Creation date

1984

Creation place

Philippines

Medium

Plywood, metal brackets, box frame with atlas

Dimension

182.88cm x 182.88cm x 30.48cm

Content type

artwork documentation

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In Copyright

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This item is covered by one or more copyrights. It is available for research only or use within Hong Kong’s fair dealing rules. Please do not copy, re-use or reproduce this item without the permission of the copyright holder.

Tatlin in Egypt