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 davis—the casting call

nick cave—Soundsuit #3

Ming Smith—Grace Jones at Studio 54

cecil beaton—Dance Study

MATISSE—Dance (I)

John Stezaker—the dance

Tschabalala Self—Floor Dance

Keith Haring—(untitled) Dance

Deana Lawson—dance hall

 

elizabeth catlett—Dancing

liz artur johnson—Black Balloon Archive

Kerry James Marshall—slow dance

alex katz—Night: William Dunas Dance Suite

 

chantal regnault—Jerome Pendavis, Copacabana, 1990

lynette yiadom-boakye—trapspung

 

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