Handtuch 1965

Konrad Lueg made this painting, called Handtuch, which translates to 'towel', with paint on canvas. The way the colours are applied has a playful, almost haphazard quality, it's easy to imagine the artist having fun with the process. Looking closely, you can see how Lueg has built up the image using these distinct marks. Each one seems deliberate, yet there's also a wonderful sense of freedom. The surface texture isn't overly worked; it feels like the paint was applied quite directly. The colours pop, bright and cheerful, and the repetition of the pattern creates a rhythm that's visually engaging. It reminds me a little of the pop art sensibility of someone like Andy Warhol, but with a handmade, almost folksy feel. What's so interesting about art is how artists riff off each other, playing with ideas across time. And ultimately, it's up to us to find our own meaning in it all.