Untitled 1968

Luchita Hurtado made this untitled artwork with paint on what looks like paper, though I’m unsure when. Looking at the colour palette, I see layers of blues and greens built up with thin washes, like watercolor, but with the opacity of gouache or acrylic. Then, sharp orange lines weave through the composition, creating a kind of map. The orange lines are like pathways or electrical circuits, connecting different areas of the painting. In the center, the lines thicken and converge into an almost figurative form, maybe a head or a landscape. It's hard to say for sure, but that ambiguity is what makes it so interesting. I’m reminded of Hilma af Klint, in the way Hurtado uses abstraction to explore inner worlds and spiritual realms. It’s the kind of painting that invites you to get lost, and find your own way.