Study for a Constructed Painting 1988

Peter Phillips created this collage, titled "Study for a Constructed Painting," using a variety of materials and techniques, resulting in a dynamic composition of circles, triangles, and machine parts. The work is structured around a central, multi-colored circle, that evokes a sense of both harmony and tension. Phillips integrates mechanical imagery with geometric abstraction, disrupting traditional notions of representation. The high-contrast colors and varied textures add to the artwork's visual complexity, challenging the viewer to reconcile these disparate elements. It reflects a broader engagement with the burgeoning consumer culture of the time. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where the formal elements of line, shape, and color collide and coalesce, exemplifying the artist's interest in the construction and deconstruction of visual language. This collage isn't just a composition; it's a visual experiment that encourages us to question how we perceive and categorize the world around us.