Read a blogpost on how artist Juan Gris used unorthodox techniques to fool the eye.

Making things appear to be something else has been of interest to artists for centuries. Whether creating highly realistic trompe l'oeil paintings or paper-like sheets of porcelain, many artists in the collection have created art meant to trick the eye. In some cases, such as the French Costume Armor and Sword in the Classical Style, the decision to use papier-mâché instead of crafting the helmet from metal, was both practical because of its temporary use as a costume and the cost of materials. Chakaia Booker’s Raw Attraction is less about disguising the found tires that compose her sculptures and more so a testament to their unrecognizable transformation. 


Material Matters

Objects in Disguise

Art Links