Untitled 2001

Makinti Napanangka made this untitled painting with acrylic on linen sometime before 2011. What strikes me most is the pure joy in the making, the repetition of marks and shapes, and the way the orange and white tones vibrate against each other. There's a real emphasis on the physical properties of the paint, like it's been pushed and pulled and dabbed into place, accumulating until the linen is thick with pigment. The dots of paint create texture, and the layering of color gives the piece a sense of depth, almost like you could reach out and touch it. Look closely at the bottom left, and you can see how the color fades from orange to a pinky white, which gives a sense of form and light, not just pattern, to the land. I am reminded of Agnes Martin, and her use of grids and simple forms to create a sense of serenity and contemplation. Ultimately this painting is open to infinite readings and interpretations.