Left Right 1 1992

Warren Rohrer made this painting called Left Right 1, and what strikes me is the way the colour feels quietly radical. It is not brash, not showy, but a kind of meditative exploration. There are two squares, side by side, each a field of pale yellow, close to chartreuse. The surface has a slight texture, not from thick brushstrokes, but more like layers of thin paint, built up and rubbed down to create a kind of evenness. It’s not trying to hide its making, but it's also not about gestural theatrics. Instead, the physicality of the paint invites you to look closely. The slight irregularities and the subtle shifts in colour draw you in, asking you to slow down and really see. This reminds me of Agnes Martin's grids, where the repetition and subtle variations create a similar sense of quiet contemplation. Both artists use a kind of minimalism, but it’s a minimalism with heart.