Mark Thomas Gibson (American, b. 1980)
No More Q and A, 2020
Ink on paper
22 x 30 in.
Gift of John Andrew MacMahon ’95
It is hard for the eyes to focus when looking at Mark Thomas Gibson’s No More Q and A. This cartoon-style drawing features a chaotic tumble of arms and legs that create a blurry, contorted cloud with only the occasional defined line of a reaching hand or a kicking shoe. Intermeshed in the disorienting scene includes objects like falling columns, a broken can of bleach, a jumble of papers, and a strangled American flag in the grip of a fist. Completely in monochrome, this narrative ink drawing’s lack of color contributes to the disarray and inhibits each individual item from being clearly seen.
The interlocking limbs of this piece may bring to mind one of artist Gibson’s more recent and colorful works, Whirly Gig. The intwined arms and legs of this piece, as writer John Yau explains, references a “toy that spins around and goes nowhere,” representing the “bitter deadlock” of the nation’s current political environment. More specifically, No More Q and A makes reference to the Trump administration (signified by the intercepted words of “the White House”), the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, and the COVID-19 pandemic (hinted at through a loose face mask). The piece criticizes the Trump administration and related white supremacist rallies through the overall disorder of the image and the symbol of the twisted American flag, conveying how American ideals are being grasped and suffocated as people trample one another in chaos. The title of the piece seems to imply an end to civil discourse and honest rhetoric, giving way to turmoil and violence instead. The angry, unsettled crowd prevents questions (the Q) from being properly asked and, more importantly, from answers (the A) being found. The pandemonium hides the true issues and their solutions, just as the mass of limbs intercepts the words and objects stifled within.
One of the most noticeable and uncovered objects is a bottle of bleach, a substance known for stain removal and its ability to wipe things away. This, perhaps, is yet another reference at how chaos can hide things, including malicious political activity. Maybe the bleach will then be used to douse and destroy the existence of the chaos itself, covering up evidence of important events that, despite their aversiveness, should instead be revealed. Whatever danger these objects may symbolize, the disorienting feel of this monochromatic, politically-charged cartoon showcases Gibson’s talent for blending art and social commentary.
Mark Thomas Gibson is a contemporary American artist and current professor at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. A graduate from The Cooper Union and Yale University, Gibson has exhibited across the world and continues to produce drawings with political messages and social critiques, often stemming from his Black identity and interest in history and culture. Much like No More Q and A, many of Gibson’s drawings feature a comic-like premise with insightful, relevant messages, including Feeding Grounds, which can also be found in Davidson’s collection.
– Gaby Sanclimenti ’25
References
Yau, John. “Mark Thomas Gibson’s Cartoons See the US Going Nowhere.” Hyperallergic, 2023. https://hyperallergic.com/808770/mark-thomas-gibson-cartoons-see-the-us-going-nowhere/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=W032523&utm_content=W032523+CID_1cb0927287cfebff4daaab9d0008d871&utm_source=hn&utm_term=Mark+Thomas+Gibsons+Cartoons+See+the+US+Going+Nowhere