Untitled 1964

This 'Untitled' painting by Gene Davis is like a visual symphony, made with acrylic on canvas. The way he lays down those stripes, it's not about hiding the process; it's all out there, kinda raw and immediate. The surface has this matte quality, and the colours feel almost built up, layer by layer. Look at how some of the stripes are thicker, some thinner - it's like a visual rhythm that dances across the canvas. I find myself drawn to that cluster of yellow stripes. They pop against the more muted browns and purples, creating this jolt of energy that pulls the whole painting forward. It reminds me a little of Barnett Newman's zips, these vertical lines that aren’t just formal elements but almost portals. The thing is, Davis's stripes are less about grand gestures and more about this playful exploration of colour and space. It’s open, it’s ambiguous, and that’s what makes it so alive.