Combination 1968

J.J. Schoonhoven made this relief construction using paper maché, creating a world of subtle variation with mostly white and off-white hues. It is hard not to imagine the artist at work, patiently building the artwork up from individual components. Each vertical form is a little different in shape and spacing, giving the piece a gentle rhythm. It feels like a meditation on order and imperfection. I wonder if he was thinking about the serial imagery of the minimalists or perhaps referencing the grid structures so central to modernism. The shadows between the paper maché add another layer of depth. The slightly rough surface of the artwork gives it a tactile quality. Schoonhoven's consistent use of paper and white paint allows for a focus on form and structure. I think he is reminding us that repetition and subtle variation can make for surprisingly engaging and thought-provoking work.