Vorticism was an avant-garde art movement that emerged in London in June 1914. Its aim was to create a new type of art for a changing, modern world.
Unfortunately, the campaign lasted only two years, but the work produced in that short time is very distinctive and striking.
Wyndham Lewis as the leader in this movement, his “Composition” is certainly a classic piece. This work appears at first glance to be a patchwork of colors and a clash of bodies. The sharp, scalloped corners of the upper section are very attractive to the eye. After focusing on this part, one gradually sees what looks like two embracing human figures.
A Dancing Couple. The woman, on the right, bends backward. The white parallelogram halfway up the right edge is perhaps her hair. The pleated curving architectural form at the bottom center could be her skirt.
Middle: William Roberts, Study for ‘Two Step’, 1915
Right: David Bomberg, Sketch for ‘The Dancer’, 1913-14
All three paintings depict dancers. William Roberts’ figures are more figurative than those of Wyndham Lewis. The figures are clearly visible, although close to the background. In contrast, Wyndham’s has a connotation that requires deeper study. Beyond that, David Bomberg’s is more abstract. Personally, I like this kind of work. It has a kind of simplification of the object and construction of geometry that we often use when doing flat layouts.
Also, these two paintings are also some of my favorites. Edward Wadsworth’s ‘the open window’ defocuses the view outside the window and frames the window. At the same time, the drawing of the exterior reminds me of this image from the Warner Bros. title sequence looking down on the town.
Again, Edward Wadsworth’s ‘Abstract Composition’ reminds me of Escher’s Endless Staircase.
Overall, the works of the Vorticism period are imbued with a powerful sense of structure, figurative, and at the same time geometrically generated abstraction.