Composition № 349 1994

Ivan Marchuk made this painting, "Composition No. 349," using a very particular approach to mark making. It’s all about lines, an intricate network of them, like he’s knitting with paint. Looking closely, you can see how the texture builds up, almost like a topographical map. The colours are earthy – browns, blacks, with a touch of ochre, and that stripe of red – creating a really grounded, organic feel. The paint doesn’t seem too thick, but the way those lines layer gives it a physical presence. It's hard to tell what tools he used, maybe fine brushes or even something unusual, but the focus is the making of each line. That left edge with the red stripe – it's almost like a control, a break from the chaos, reminding us of the flat surface of the canvas. I’m reminded of Agnes Martin’s grids, but wilder, more untamed.