CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 10/2/2018

Jack Whitten: Odyssey is filled with inspiration

"Memory Container" (1972-73) is reproduced from Jack Whitten: Odyssey, published to accompany the critically acclaimed sculpture show on view at The Met Breuer. In her interview with Whitten, Dia curator Courtney J. Martin comments that Whitten cannot be fit into a neat category of art history. His response: "Yes, another thing that has helped me a lot is my interest in astrophysics, particle physics, and so forth. It was pointed out to me years ago: the light we known has taken millions of years to travel here. When I'm working and thinking about light as a painter, I'm thinking about that. That light is coming from way back somewhere. I go backward, follow the light." When Martin asks whether this relates to an earlier statement about the sculpture influencing the painting, he replies: "The sculptures are the main influence on the painting. I have clear reasons for saying that, very clear."