It's a New Age

William Hook, 1992

MEDIUMAcrylic and oil on canvas
DIMENSIONS162.6 × 137.2 cm (64 × 54 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago
COLLECTIONContemporary Art
CULTUREUnited States
CREDIT LINENorman Wait Harris Purchase Fund

Stop to examine this painting's raw, text-heavy surface, where the artist uses scrawled notes and graphic imagery to powerfully confront themes of female identity and societal pressures.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This painting, "It's a New Age," immediately confronts you with a chaotic swirl of scrawled text, doodles, and graphic imagery. The canvas is filled with what looks like unedited notes and erasures, creating a raw, almost stream-of-consciousness effect. The artist uses a stark, almost cartoonish style to articulate deeply personal struggles, particularly around identity as a woman and a painter. You'll see phrases like "I'm free to choose" and "I chose fat thighs," which sarcastically engage with societal pressures and the politics of "choice." The work’s vivid, almost aggressive energy comes from this combination of text and image, directly addressing tough topics like self-loathing and the degradation of the female body through sexual violence and abuse.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

Look for the repeated phrases and handwritten text that dominate the canvas.

2

Notice the crude, almost childlike drawings and doodles scattered throughout.

3

Find the explicit mention of "fat thighs" and other body-related commentary.

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Audio Deep Dive

Stop to examine this painting's raw, text-heavy surface, where the artist uses scrawled notes and graphic imagery to powerfully confront themes of female ident…

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THE ARTIST
William Hook 1829

William Hook, born in 1829, is associated with works like 'Alice' and 'A City Park' from the late 19th century.

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