Forio 1958 - 1978

Emerson Woelffer made "Forio" in 1958 using paint and collage on paper. The bold simplicity of color and shape feels fresh, even now. You can sense Woelffer figuring things out as he goes along. The matte black and ochre yellow push and pull, creating a flattened space that still somehow suggests depth. I love the little paper collages that pop up here and there; like the one signed by the artist in the lower left. They draw attention to the surface of the work and disrupt any sense of illusion. The torn edges and the way they’re casually stuck on makes them feel so alive! Woelffer was clearly influenced by artists like Matisse, who also used simple shapes and bold colors to create dynamic compositions. But Woelffer’s work has a rawness and spontaneity that is all his own.