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HI

HI

Primary (Corpus Christi, Texas, 1943–Gary, Indiana and New York, New York, present)
Muralist/Sign painter
Muralist/Sign painter
NationalityUnited States, North America
Place MadeUnited States, North America
Date1997/2023
MediumPaint on exterior wall
Dimensions22 1/2 x 61 1/2 feet
Credit LineBlanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Purchased with funds provided by Lora Reynolds and Kathleen and Christopher Loughlin, with additional support from Sheri Henrickson, 2023.7
Rights Statement
Collection AreaModern and Contemporary Art
Object number2023.7
On View
On view
Locations
  • exhibition  BMA, Grounds
Collection Highlight
Label Text

“I think of language as found material, and HI is an example of how meaning can be discovered in the raw material that is the alphabet. A personal message emerges from an impersonal system.” - Kay Rosen 


Texas native Kay Rosen has explored written language for over 50 years. After receiving her education in linguistics from Tulane University and Northwestern University, Rosen turned to art to investigate the visual properties of language. In her practice, Rosen utilizes form, color, and composition to tease out hidden messages, political statements, moral questions, or humorous quips from everyday turns of phrase. The mural HI portrays the first nine letters of the alphabet with “H” and “I” rendered in a contrasting yellow typeface. Rosen asks us to consider the unexpected possibilities that can exist in common speech and welcomes Blanton visitors, passersby, and drivers on Austin’s East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.