Untitled 1978

This untitled artwork by Conrad Marca-Relli is a collage made from canvas and paint. I'm always drawn to pieces like this where you can really see the artist working through a problem, or a series of problems. The texture of the canvas is so present, like little hills and valleys under the brushstrokes. The black paint Marca-Relli uses is thick and assertive, it almost feels like it's pushing against the edges of the canvas shapes. It’s fascinating how he’s built up the surface, layering these different materials to create a sense of depth and movement, the tan and beige shapes contrasting against the dark lines. There is one tan shape in particular that has a lot of texture, and it makes me think about how touch is so important to our experience of art. Marca-Relli's collages remind me of the early work of Robert Motherwell, who also explored similar ideas about form and texture. Both artists seem interested in the way that art can be a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and influences.