Unraveling Patterns

Exploring the Role of Repetition in Maya Atoun’s Artwork

Abstract

This article delves into three distinct series within the body of work of the artist Maya Atoun (1974–2022), offering a perspective that has been relatively unexplored in previous analyses of her art. This perspective centers on the theme of “repetition,” both as a recurring form and a conceptual motif. Through discussions of Atoun’s series—Daily Wonders from 2004, featuring drawings; various works showcasing skulls starting from 2006; and the Red Series, comprising red ink drawings of geometric patterns on paper from 2022—this מבטים 3 / יולי 2024 305 article sheds light on the significance of formal and conceptual repetition in the artist’s creative process. The exploration of these series not only underscores Atoun’s fascination with visual patterns crafted from recurring shapes, but also reveals her deeper interest in patterns as cultural symbols, tracing their manifestations across different eras. By emphasizing the theme of repetition, this article forges new connections within Atoun’s oeuvre, which emerges as a complex tapestry of contrasts: beauty juxtaposed with terror, order against chaos, reassurance alongside threat, infinity versus singularity, light opposing darkness, and the eternal dance between life and death.