Dame Louise Henderson’s Arab Portrait No.8 exemplifies her ability to merge geometric abstraction with cultural exploration. The 1950s marked a significant shift in Henderson’s practice, where she moved away from purely representational art towards a more abstracted style that still maintained a strong connection to the subject matter. It was in the late 1950s that Henderson travelled to the Middle East, a region that not only brought new content to her work, but a wholly new exploration of colour and form. Drawn to both the historic sites and modern architecture, Henderson’s practice transcended cubism to embrace a flattening of form influenced by post-cubism.

Arab Portrait No.8 displays these bold, simplified forms and vibrant colour blocks, reflecting her fascination with the region’s cultural symbols and architecture. The work can be celebrated for its formal qualities—a strong composition with rhythmic lines and a harmonious colour palette—yet it is also deeply imbued with a sense of place and personal experience. The abstraction serves not only as an aesthetic choice but as a means of capturing the essence of the Arab culture she encountered, distilling her observations and experiences into a striking visual language that blends modernity and history.

References:
1. https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/blog/media-release/2020/06/missing-louisehenderson-artwork-to-be-shown-in-ch
2. Milburn, F., Strongman, L., Waite, J. (eds) (2019) Louise Henderson From Life. NZ: AucklandArt Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, p.14