The One-Eyed Jack
Date1991
Mediumwood, canvas, and acrylic paint
DimensionsDiagonal: 108 H. x 66 W. inches
Horizontal: 37 H. x 108 W. inches
Credit LineGift of Jason and Clara Stevens.
Object number2021.27.2
Copyright© The Estate of Tony DeLap.
The images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextTony Delap’s practice has been tied to some of the most pivotal abstract art movements of the 20th century, including West Coast minimalism and Op Art (short for optical art). Beyond a lifelong interest in geometry—such as hyperbolic paraboloids and mobius strips—and illusionism, the artist also was drawn to the whimsical world of magic tricks and performance. Delap explained: “When a master magician performs ‘sleights’ with a deck of cards, he is creating a beautiful work of art.” The title of this piece refers to the two playing cards in traditional French and English decks, the Jack of hearts and Jack of spades, that feature a face in profile.
