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HOPE
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? Ed Ruscha

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HOPE 1998
  • Artist Rooms
The shape and scale of this large work is a direct reference to public advertising billboards, which is a recurring motif in Ruscha?s work. In contrast to this the word `Hope? is a very private emotion, filled with religious and spiritual connotations. This jars with the dark, menacing spray paint that the artist has used. With the final letter, `E?, almost obliterated in an explosion of darkness, the idea of hope dying or fading is suggested. Ruscha has used the word `Hope? in several other paintings.

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Details

  • Acc. No. AR00063
  • Medium Acrylic on paper
  • Size 101.60 x 152.40 cm (framed: 109.00 x 159.00 x 5.00 cm)
  • Credit ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008

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