Cosmic #1 2008

Jack Armstrong's 'Cosmic #1' presents us with a vibrant, energetic field of color, line, and texture across its 91 by 61 centimeters. The painting is awash with primary hues – the bold yellows, reds, and blues create a sense of dynamic movement. The painting's dense composition invites a semiotic reading, where each color and stroke acts as a sign. The layering and dripping of paint recall the action painting of Jackson Pollock, but here, the color palette feels deliberately chosen to evoke a sense of cosmic chaos and order. The lack of a clear focal point suggests a challenge to traditional notions of perspective, engaging instead with the sublime vastness of space. The work destabilizes conventional artistic hierarchies, proposing a new visual language that reflects the complexities of contemporary experience. Notice the intricate dance between control and chance in Armstrong’s application of paint. This tension between intention and accident mirrors the paradox of the cosmos itself—a realm governed by both deterministic laws and unpredictable events.