A Gesture of Appreciation

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on November 26, 2022 at 12:39pm

Curator’s Comments:

The nuances of whiteness in A Gesture of Appreciation are easily overlooked by your more vibrantly colored abstractions. But a closer viewing of this painting reveals roughly scumbled patches of opaque pigment over low chroma gray and ochre shapes. A visual excavation of sorts is needed to fully understand and enjoy the layered surface of what is likely a physically dense and tactile piece. While media and scale aren’t indicated, I feel as though there is an intimacy in this closer viewing.  The delicately craggy forms that emerge from the chalky whiteness are difficult to make out. The larger linear shape suggests a bunch of flowers; the stems likely formed by painting out the surrounding bits of colored ground. Perhaps the title of the piece influences my interpretation of the subject.  The smaller shape to the right suggests a small table, but it is overshadowed by the gesture of the bouquet. These shapes extend just above the center of the painting, giving the sensation of floating. It is a pleasing piece that rewards the viewer with longer viewing. I’m happy it was featured in a random selection on the site so that I took another look.