Grove Group 2 1972

Brice Marden made this "Grove Group 2" painting with what looks like a whole lotta layering and a restrained palette. I find that when artists limit their color choices, it's like they're saying, "Okay, now let's really see what paint can do." Up close, the surface quality is where it's at. See how the black isn't just black? It's got this depth, like you could fall into it. You can almost feel the layers of wax and pigment, each one influencing the one on top. It is built-up, scraped down. It's like Marden is having a conversation with the paint, a back-and-forth, until he coaxes out something that feels both simple and deeply complex. Reminds me a little of Ad Reinhardt, maybe? Like, what can you do with almost nothing, but everything? It’s a reminder that art's about questioning, not answering, and that's a conversation I always want to be part of.