Detail of Sampler (Starting Over) by Reicheck in the Museum of Modern Art, July 2007

Elaine Reichek. (American, born 1943). Sampler (Starting Over). 1996. Embroidery on linen, 8 3/4 x 67 1/2" (22.2 x 171.4 cm). Marcia Riklis Fund.

Gallery label text
What is Painting? Contemporary Art from the Collection, July 7–September 17, 2007

Reichek draws on the tradition of embroidered samplers to create Conceptual, word-based art. Replacing traditional aphorisms, prayers, and educational texts with quotations from art history and mythology, Reichek painstakingly replicated images of three black abstract paintings and a statement by the artist Ad Reinhardt, her painting teacher. On the right are lines spoken by Penelope in The Odyssey, by Homer, and a design from a Greek vase depicting women making textiles. The artist has explained, "Reinhardt described artmaking very much as Penelope described weaving her tapestry: as a constant process of making and remaking, beginning and beginning again."

Text from: www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O:AD:...