Final answer:
Julie Mehretu's approach in "Back to Gondwanaland" significantly differs from earlier artists as she layers acrylic paint, ink, and pencil to create complex visual narratives infused with dynamism, whereas traditional artists like Agnes Martin adhered to controlled, systematic grid patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Julie Mehretu's drawing process in "Back to Gondwanaland" exhibits a distinct divergence from traditional artistic methods employed by earlier artists. Mehretu is known for her large-scale paintings that incorporate layers of acrylic paint, ink, and pencil on canvas, deliberately superimposing abstract images, maps, and architectural forms. This process creates a visual complexity that encapsulates the dynamism of modern urban life. Unlike earlier artists like those from the Minimalism movement, Mehretu’s work does not adhere to a rigid systematic approach but rather embraces the chaos and overlap of multiple points, vectors, and marks. Her background involves applying simple tones, such as yellow, before meticulously adding intersecting lines and other details.
Comparatively, earlier artists like Agnes Martin, as depicted in works such as “Untitled #14”, predominantly utilized a single grid pattern varied by texture and color, showcasing a more systematic and controlled process. These traditional artists tended to follow minimalistic and more rigid procedures, establishing a stark contrast between Mehretu's layered and multifaceted approach to visual storytelling.