“Walled In” by Samuel Bak is an aptly titled piece. It features numerous objects, such as trees and bottles, partially encapsulated and held firmly in place by blocks of stone. A small green pear peeks out shyly from behind a box of concrete. A larger green pear is painted or projected onto the exterior of another stone block. This “painted” pear and the shining tree directly to its left undermine the theme of being walled in. It’s slightly difficult to discern whether these objects are truly enclosed in concrete or if they just appear that way; if the tree is partially cast in stone or if it’s rooted far enough in the foreground to be unaffected. The painted pear provokes questions about the appearance or perception of being “walled-in” versus the reality.
Given the themes of enforced distance and isolation, the significance of when Bak painted this piece grows. It is dated to 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic is still fresh in our collective memories. During the pandemic nearly everyone was walled into their houses, their bedrooms, with nothing to do but wait for time to pass. Much like the brown trees and blue bottle, in 2020 our lives reached a point of stagnancy and solitude due to social isolation. I have vivid memories of hours passing, silent and alone, pinned between the four walls of my bedroom. To the elderly population, swirling fears and an awareness of mortality were undoubtedly heightened. One can imagine that Bak needed an outlet for these emotions as he was experiencing them, and perhaps the result was this composition.
Some details that fascinate me and complexify the story being told in “Walled In” relate to the work’s colors and mood. The color palette is quite limited and calculated, light colors and many earth tones. The vibrant teal of the vessels and blue of the sky contribute a brightness, and even a cheeriness. The items all stand silently and far apart. They emanate tranquility. There is little motion and little sense of urgency, implying that being “walled in” is not an inherently claustrophobic or nightmarish state of being.
Sophie Weinstock, Pucker Gallery Summer 2023 Internship Program
Pitzer College, Class of 2026
BAK a Day, July 22, 2023
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