Formal Elements of Art

Chain Gang (1939) Colour

Colours in this painting is minimal, but
by William H. Johnson they have a meaning. We immediately

Texture notice that all the bright colors are used

as the background of the painting.
The artwork seems like it has a rough texture to it. The artist used
plywood so it has a rougher texture unlike the Jacob Lawrence's Bright Colours
painting which is using hardboard panels which are smoother than
the plywood. The black and
white striped
Technique clothing
reminds us
The artist created this artwork using oil paint on plywood. This artwork that is what the
has a lot of meaning. From the prisoners legs were cuffed together, their prisoners
feet being so large, and them dragging the equipments. The artwork it wear.
self is not aesthetically pleasing, but if you know the meanings that the
The sad colors are all used on the three
Function and Purpose artist has put into the painting, it will please you. 
These  photos slaves which shows the misery and the
This is a painting done by William Johnson, titled have meaning, suffering that the prisoners are
Chain Gang. This artwork is showing a few African- and this is the experiencing. This painting shows what
American men standing there looking exhausted. artists African American slaves went through
These men are prisoners that are turned into workers. technique on and how much they suffered. The way
This represents what the African- American men were
telling the they were treated was very violent and
Form
told to do at the time of the Harlem Renaissance. The
men are struggling for freedom, working for problem injust.
everyone so that they are able to get the freedom that
This painting that is created by WIlliam H. Johnson is created on plywood and using oil paint. The men or the
they deserve. This artwork gave us a straightforward
prisoners take nearly the whole art piece. The artist did not really implement 3D shapes, the shape of the body are
message about what the African- American men had
to go through. simple. There are not a lot of negative space in this artwork, because the body of the prisoners take most of the
artwork itself.