Atlantic Tuna (1970) 18x24 inches
graphite and watercolor on paper


Untitled (1968) 14x22 inches
ink on paper

A Visual Odyssey: The Art of Carl Sublett
by Dr. Donald Kurka

Metamorphosis/Transformation

Many artists, even over a lifetime, work in one characteristic style. Not Sublett. These two drawings can serve as a guide to Sublett’s artmaking approach. They offer a clue to understanding his great range in style, content, and form that otherwise might appear bewildering. While on the surface these drawings appear dissimilar, they do share similarities. The drawing on the left, Atlantic Tuna, 1970, depicts a realistic image of a fish in a glass case with other fishes in the background as if displayed in a museum. The other drawing, Untitled, 1968, presents us with a flat composition of three stacked abstract oval shapes. Stylistically and in terms of content and message, they are quite different. But in terms of shapes (repeated fish and fish-like shape), there is a kinship both visually and symbolically.