Untitled 1955

Lolo Soldevilla made this painting with what looks like oils. It's divided into two zones, yellow and tan, each a place for geometric shapes to hang out. There are circles, triangles, squares and it’s like each shape is figuring out its relationship to the others. I can imagine Soldevilla shuffling these shapes around, trying out different arrangements to see which one felt right. Like she's in a call and response with the shapes. The colors are so solid. The way the paint is applied gives the image an almost mechanical feel, yet the balance between the shapes gives it a real sense of harmony. It reminds me a little of Hilma af Klint, another artist drawn to geometry and its potential for transcendence. These artists are always looking to each other, it's a conversation that continues over time. I love the way abstract painting can hold so many possibilities at once!