Abstract Design - Black, 1955

One of two in a series done while Miriam was at the University of Alabama. It is one of the few surviving pieces from that period of her career.

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One of two in a series done while Miriam was at the University of Alabama. It is one of the few surviving pieces from that period of her career.

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This 1955 lithograph titled "Abstract Design - Black" showcases Miriam McClung's experimentation with bold, organic forms during her time at the University of Alabama. The composition features stark black ink on paper, creating a mosaic-like pattern of irregular, geometric shapes that seem to interlock and flow across the 20" x 26" surface.

The shapes appear deliberately fragmented, with rough, textured edges that reveal the artist's hand in printmaking. The contrast between the deep black ink and the white paper creates a powerful visual rhythm, while the forms' varying sizes and arrangements suggest structure and spontaneity.

As one of only two surviving pieces from this series created during McClung's university period, this lithograph represents an important artifact from her early artistic development. The work demonstrates her exploration of abstract expressionist techniques popular in the 1950s while maintaining her distinctive approach to composition and form.

The piece's strong graphic quality and dynamic use of positive and negative space make it a striking example of mid-20th-century American printmaking. Its survival from McClung's university period makes it particularly significant in understanding her artistic evolution.