Artwork-dance
Harp Strum, 2016. Oil on canvas, diptych: 71 x 79 in. each. © Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Courtesy of the artist, Jack Shainman Gallery, New York and Corvi-Mora, London.

This weeks’ “Artwork Evoking Our Emotions” is all about movement. It’s hump-day which means just two days ago it was Monday (eww) and that two days from now it’ll be Friday—aka the weekend. As we’re all at our desk, or kitchen islands (guilty!) or back at the office, we all could benefit from a mid-day dance break right? Today, we’ve gathered a curated selection of contemporary works that exude the essence of dance and movement. From Matisse and his colorful fluid figures dancing around a hill, to Howard Schatz dance studies images, documenting the form of the dancer—dance is all about expression and emotion and artist have been using the act of dance to bring joy to the masses since the origins of art history. When you dance your body releases endorphins—so basically, dance is good for the soul. So open up your music streaming service of your choice and put on your go-to tune that instantly gets you up on your feet—currently ours is “Essence” by Wizkid ft. Tems—and explore this selection of artwork.

Whether you wanna dance with somebody or are just simply dancing with yourself—punny, right?—below delve into works that evoke movement and make you want to get up and express yourself through dance:

noah davisthe casting call

Artwork-dance
The Casting Call, 2008. Noah Davis.

nick caveSoundsuit #3

Artwork-dance
Soundsuit #3, 2010. Color photograph made with archival pigments on fine art rag paper with matte finish. Nick Cave.

Ming SmithGrace Jones at Studio 54

Artwork-dance
Grace Jones at Studio 54, 1978. Archival pigment print 30 × 40 in. Ming Smith.

cecil beaton—Dance Study

Artwork-dance
Dance Study, New York 1952. Vintage silver print, 10 × 8 in. Cecil Beaton.

MATISSE—Dance (I)

Artwork-dance
Dance (I), 1909. Oil on canvas,8′ 6 1/2″ x 12′ 9 1/2″. Henri Matisse.

John Stezakerthe dance

Artwork-dance
The Dance, 2001. Collage, 21 1/10 × 16 3/10 in. John Stezaker.

Tschabalala SelfFloor Dance

Artwork-dance
Floor Dance, 2016. Linen, fabric, oil pastels, acrylic, and flashe on canvas. Tschabalala Self.

Keith Haring—(untitled) Dance

Artwork-dance
(Untitled) Dance, 1987. Keith Haring.

Deana Lawson—dance hall

Artwork-dance
Dance Hall, 2019. Pigment print, 43 × 54 in. Deana Lawson.

 

elizabeth catlett—Dancing

Artwork-dance
Dancing, 1990. Lithograph, 23 1/4 × 28 in. Elizabeth Catlett.

liz artur johnsonBlack Balloon Archive

Artwork-dance
Black Balloon Archive, 1992-ongoing. Chromogenic photograph, 20×24 inches. Liz Johnson Artur.

Kerry James Marshall—slow dance

Artwork-dance
Slow Dance,1992. Acrylic and collage on canvas, 75 1/4 × 74 1/4 in. Kerry James Marshall.

alex katzNight: William Dunas Dance Suite

Artwork-dance
Night: William Dunas Dance Suite, 1979. Lithograph on Arches 24 × 30 1/2 in. Alex Katz.

 

chantal regnaultJerome Pendavis, Copacabana, 1990

Artwork-dance
Jerome Pendavis, Copacabana, 1990. Pigment print on Hahnemühle Fine Art Pearl paper framed with aluminium, 12 1/5 × 9 3/10 in. Chantal Regnault.

lynette yiadom-boakye—trapspung

Artwork-dance
Trapsprung, 2013. Oil on canvas, 78 3/4 × 70 7/8 in. Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

Bill Bernstein—Xenon Dance Floor #1

Artwork-dance
Xenon Dance Floor #1, 1979. Hahnemühle Photo Rag Satin print, 17 × 22 in. Bill Bernstein.

 

Did you enjoy your dance-break? What songs are getting you up on your feet? Put us on!