Struggle 1967

Robert Goodnough made "Struggle" with paint, and what looks like real conviction. The colours are these bold, graphic shapes that don't quite touch, hovering like thoughts in a busy mind. Looking closely, the surface is built up with layers, you can see where one colour ends and another begins, how edges are hard and soft. Check out how the black marks like drips and scratches, almost fight with the bold primaries. This tension gives the painting its energy. I get the sense that Goodnough wasn’t after a smooth finish; he embraced the physicality of the paint, letting it do its thing. It reminds me a bit of early Frank Stella, but messier, more human. Art’s like that, isn't it? A conversation across time, where each artist adds their own voice to the mix, embracing the beautiful mess of interpretation.