Hourglass 1965

Romul Nutiu made this painting, "Hourglass," with what looks like oil on canvas, and it’s like looking into a shattered mirror of time itself. The way he builds up the image, it's all about the process. Layer upon layer of blues, reds, and grays, like thoughts piling up. I’m really drawn to the surface of this work. It's not smooth or predictable, which is great. You can see where the brush has dug in, and where the paint is thin and almost transparent, revealing other layers. Look closely at the center where all the colors seem to meet, creating these triangular shapes. The red pops against the cooler tones, almost like a warning, or a memory. Nutiu reminds me a little of someone like Philip Guston, in the way he embraces a kind of raw, emotional honesty. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about answers; it’s about the conversation, the questions, and the endless possibilities that emerge when we dare to look.