Ana Koh-Varilla Analysis

Artists Ana Koh-Varilla and Jeffrey Varilla imbue their Martin Luther King, Jr. statue with a sense of community and social progress, residing outside in the center of East Mall since 1999. However, George Segal’s Blue Woman in Black Chair, created in 1981, presents an introspective message on internal boldness and outer vulnerability, telling its story in a corner within the Blanton Museum of Art. Comparing how each piece makes use of scale, subject matter, and style gives deeper insight into the expressive content intended by its respective creator(s). Both works take advantage of scale; Ana Koh-Varilla and Jeffrey Varilla use a larger than life form to create a sense of guidance and authority, while Segal places dominance in the viewer

focuses on honoring its subject, and Blue Woman in Black Chair uses her body as a tool to maintain a dialogue with the viewer. These diverging goals result in Ana Koh-Varilla and Jeffrey Varilla creating a more idealized representation of Martin Luther King, Jr. with larger hands to aid in expressing his outward gesture. Whereas Segal’s Blue Woman is further from classical standards because the effect of age on her chest and abdomen is apparent, rather than hidden by a mask of idealization. Additionally, the drapery in Martin Luther King, Jr. suggests a subtle contrapposto stance and flows with gravity and wind, resembling classical works. However, Segal limits mobility around the sculpture and uses stiff drapery to obscure the form and extenuate its slouch and nudity. Segal’s representation of drapery is far more static in comparison to Martin Luther King, Jr.; it closes in on her body, as if fuses with her skin. This forces the viewer to examine her body and expression rather than focusing on elaborately detailed drapery. However, detailed drapery adds to Ana Koh-Varilla and Jeffery Varilla’s piece because it develops a sense of wonderment that idealizes the figure. Each sculpture makes the most out of their medium, as well. Segal’s use of a visually softer material contrasts his figures sharp expression. Ana Koh-Varilla and Jeffery Varilla casted their sculpture in bronze, creating a sense of permanence and