Toh ta (Between Waters)

Toh ta (Between Waters), 1979, by R.C. Gorman is a meditation on liminality rendered in bold graphic contrasts. A solitary figure wrapped in a flowing white garment appears suspended or floating, their head bowed in reflection. The figure’s elongated form and the dramatic black background create a stark, almost spiritual composition. Gorman’s mastery of negative space—the void of the dark surround—enhances the luminous whiteness of the draped form. The title ‘Between Waters’ suggests transition, contemplation, and the space between worlds. This 1979 work demonstrates Gorman’s range from narrative scenes to purely abstract explorations of form and meaning. Sought after by collectors of introspective, conceptual works.