Yellow Rose #12 1969

Walter Darby Bannard made "Yellow Rose #12" using what seems to be acrylic paint on canvas. What's striking about this piece is the apparent simplicity of its making, which belies a sophisticated engagement with the history of painting. Bannard applies the paint in broad strokes, letting the material properties of the acrylic do much of the work, such as the texture, weight, and luminosity of the colour. This suggests a deep understanding of the medium, as well as the industrial processes by which it is made available to artists, at a price. The composition emerges through a process of addition and subtraction, masking areas and layering tones. This is not just about aesthetics; it’s about a deep engagement with the materials and the processes by which artworks come into being. Bannard challenges us to reconsider the act of painting itself, blurring boundaries between the studio and the factory.