Constitution IV
Mark Bradford's *Constitution IV* is a large-scale mixed media work on canvas that layers torn paper, found materials, and paint to create a richly textured, map-like surface. Bradford's signature process of adding and excavating materials reveals fragmented traces of text and imagery beneath the abstracted terrain. The work reflects his ongoing exploration of social structures, urban landscapes, and the complex histories embedded in everyday materials.
- Medium
- mixed media on canvas
- Location
- Phillips, Salt Lake City, UT
- Spotted At
- Auction House Β· PhillipsView on map
π¨ Auction Lot
Contemporary Art Evening Sale
October 14, 2015
Artists in conversation
Theaster Gates
American Β· b. 1973
Like Bradford, Gates creates large scale mixed media works that incorporate found and discarded urban materials to explore social histories and community structures, resulting in richly layered surfaces that carry embedded cultural meaning.
El Anatsui
Ghanaian Β· b. 1944
Anatsui shares Bradford's commitment to transforming humble found materials into monumental abstract compositions with dense textural surfaces, while embedding commentary on social systems and the overlooked histories within everyday objects.
Julie Mehretu
Ethiopian American Β· b. 1970
Mehretu creates large scale abstract works that layer fragmented maps, urban architecture, and social structures into complex textural compositions, closely mirroring Bradford's interest in excavating and abstracting the visual language of cities and power systems.
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