Hyde Park

Sybil Andrews Canadian, born England

Not on view

Here, in one of her most abstract works, Andrews depicted a group of city dwellers in London’s famous Hyde Park. Their bodies are distended and reduced to dark hats and coats out of which the occasional bit of skin emerges, such as their featureless faces. Despite the large size of the park, the thin vertical sheet and compression of figures create the impression of a crowded space, such as a Tube station. The cool tones and lush greenery they connote, however, undermine the stress of the density and congestion. The figures appear at peace in their surroundings, likely a statement about the restorative power of nature, especially necessary in urban spaces. Such links are further reinforced by the repetition of forms and colors, making the figures appear integrated into their surroundings.

Hyde Park, Sybil Andrews (Canadian (born England), Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk 1898–1992 Victoria, British Columbia), Color linocut

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