Why

Basic Information

Artist(s):
Leslie Roberts
Title:
Why
Medium:
Surface Size:
24 x 18 in.
Date Created:
2019
Inventory #:
Roberts-2019-02

Description

signed, titled, dated, size, and medium written on the back of the panel

handwritten text: Sentences preceded by “why,” from news reports, email, and other sources.

Transcript:

Is this happening

Did I get this

Aren’t people angrier

Do you want this job

Can’t we sleep

Am I writing you

Do filmmakers love van Gogh

Would a company buy back its own stock

Settle for less than the best

Do you ask

Make things worse than they already are

Would anyone fly anything but nonstop

Wait another minute

Do we eat what we eat

Don’t you wash your blond child’s hair in dead champagne

Play games with your health like this

Do people feel personally affected by the finale

Take risks

 

More Artworks By Leslie Roberts

Sapphire

Created in 2021 by Leslie Roberts

transcription provided by the artist: “melancholy, oceanic, democratic, sapphire, cyan, sky, azure, heartbroken, turquoise, cobalt, indigo, lapis lazuli, gentian, bluebell, cornflower, delphinium, erotic, blue zircon, navy, hydrangea, robin’s egg, airy, crepuscular, aquamarine, sorrowful, royal, low-spirited, twilight, midnight, watery, galactic, deep space, wistful, larkspur, downcast, gloomy, somber, periwinkle, moody, lachrymose, denim, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Antarctic, Adriatic, downcast, […]


NB

Created in 2020 by Leslie Roberts

transcription provided by the artist: “NB NY AG CV FX HD DM US AD BF JK TY MG WC UG UV PE PT WH RV CG ET DC TA HR SW NW PC CU NJ OG DT Leslie Roberts, 2020 (common 2-letter acronyms and initialisms)”


Instructions (Open, Close, Peel, Use)

Created in 2014 by Leslie Roberts

transcription provided by the artist: “open close peel back for drug facts use four or five fingers to pinch the home screen no littering smoking spitting radio playing if you have trouble reading this email please click here take two tablets by mouth three times a day maximum of six tablets a day tackle your […]


After the Killing Frost

Created in 2025 by Leslie Roberts

transcription provided by the artist: “after the killing frost reverting to the original dull purple invaluable condensed encyclopedia this is a mistake fill the excavation three quarters full continue cutting of fall withered flowers the latest cultural ideas it is a rare privilege to select the preferred colors stake the late bloomers remove and burn […]