Work-K-61 1961

Matsutani made Work-K-61 with some kind of paint or ink, and maybe some glue or resin; it’s hard to tell from here. It’s a real tussle of black and white, with these looping lines and splatters vying for attention. I love how the white marks aren't just laid on top; they seem to dig into the black, creating a layered effect, like a history of gestures. There’s a spot near the bottom that looks like a burst of energy, where the white almost seems to bloom out of the darkness. It's raw, but there is also a balance, a push and pull that keeps your eye moving. It reminds me a bit of Franz Kline’s work, but with a more playful, less monumental feel. Like looking at a storm cloud, you can find all sorts of things in it. It's a conversation, really, between the artist and the materials, and then, between the art and us.