Single Horizontal Slot Painting 1991

This painting by Alan Charlton, whose exact date is unknown, features a single horizontal slot. Charlton exclusively used shades of grey in his work, and favored simple geometric forms. The most striking aspect of the work is its utter simplicity: a painted canvas with a slot cutting through the upper layer of paint. This is not traditional artistry; it's almost an anti-art statement. The artist's engagement with materials appears as a key concept. The texture of the paint, its subtle variations, and the way the light catches on the cut edges of the slot, all contribute to the work's impact. Charlton's practice invites us to reconsider the relationship between art, labor, and the act of production. The repetitive action of applying paint, and of creating the slot, are an acknowledgment of the value of work, skill, and creative intent. This piece encourages us to look beyond surface appearances and see the deeper values embedded in the materials and making.