Color has cultural context. It’s had a significant impact on human history and the history of art, be it through availability, trade, design, or fashion. Cultures use language to describe color in a variety of ways; the emotional interpretation of color is also culture-dependent.
This unit presents a palette of resources with which to start an exploration of the relationship between color and culture.
Check out all the resources below and explore our Unit 6 gallery for some colorful work from our online collection that features the color Violet.
Join us at the end of the week for a live video conversation (scroll down for connection details) about how you, as an artist, use color, the exercises, and anything color-related.
Take a Color Test!
Here's some homework for the upcoming Ode to Color webinar with Lori Weitzner webinar on March 4 (4pm EST). Remember that you do need to register for this webinar.
Lori’s love of color is intertwined with her love of textiles. “...while [this book] contains many interior design ideas and explores color from a cultural, religious, and social point of view - it is foremost a journey through these distinct color worlds, each with its many powers, moods, and associations.” The associated color test is great fun - find out your results.
Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay Covers early uses of color and the continuing use in various cultures. The Brilliant History of Color and Art, also by Victoria Finlay on the use of pigments from the ancient to the modern. These books cover the history of the sources and use of pigments and their ongoing use today.
Secret Lives of Color by Kasia St. Clair. St. Clair wrote, “What I have tried to do is provide something between a potted history and a character sketch for the 75 shades that have intrigued me the most. Some are artists’ colors, some are dyes, and others are almost more akin to ideas or sociocultural creations.”
Ode to Color by Lori Weitzner Her love of color is intertwined with her love of textiles. “...while [this book] contains many interior design ideas and explores color from a cultural, religious, and social point of view - it is foremost a journey through these distinct color worlds, each with its many powers, moods, and associations.” The associated color test is great fun! Make sure to complete it before Lori’s live talk.
The Anatomy of Color by Patrick Baty examines pigments and color use in decoration over the past 300 years.
Bland But Bold: the colour of uncoloured textiles by Saeuk Oh. “It is an exhibition of art quilts inspired by a Korean word 'so-saek', which literally means 'a color of uncolored textiles'. 15 Korean quilters joined my idea to complete beautiful quilts using the traditional textiles, or with an idea or feeling of their own when they see the color.” The exhibition will premiere at the Quilt Festival in Korea and then travel to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. More venues especially in the US can be discussed with pleasure. Please enjoy the online catalog first!
Luana Rubin on Quilting Arts Podcast. We'll be sharing a conversation with Luana and Martha Sielman in Unit 7, all about color forecasting: how it works and how it affects your life.
What you didn't know about color, from the BBC.
Pantone colors for the past 20 years presented by House Beautiful.
Changes in car colors over the years from The Drive. My, we have gotten boring!
Links from MyModernMet:
The History of the Color Red: From Ancient Paintings to Louboutin Shoes
The History of the Color Blue: From Ancient Egypt to the Latest Scientific Discoveries
The History of the Color Green: From a Poisonous Pigment to a Symbol of Environmentalism
The History of the Color Orange: From Tomb Paintings to Modern-Day Jumpsuits
Discuss Lori’s talk and your experiences with color and culture. Note that Live Chats will not be recorded as they are just casual conversations and sharing among participants in smaller breakout rooms.
You will need to register separately for the webinar below. Once you register, you will receive a separate email confirmation that includes connection information for the webinar. The webinar will be recorded.
Webinar with Lori Weitzner: Thursday, March 4: 4pm – 5pm EST (GMT -5). Register for webinar now
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Friday, February 26: 4pm – 5pm EST (GMT -5)
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