Exercise in free color use c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have M. Lupow’s *Exercise in free color use*, a vibrant watercolor piece. The layers of color really stand out. What do you see in this piece, in terms of the materiality of its construction? Curator: The raw materials of paper, pigment, and water are the immediate focus. How the artist manipulated these substances is key. The 'exercise' seems to be about exploring the possibilities inherent in the materials themselves and in the act of applying paint. Editor: So, the process is the subject? Curator: Precisely! It challenges the traditional notion of a subject. The labor is visible, isn't it? The drips, the layered washes... Editor: It is! It makes you think about the artist's hand and the flow of the paint. Curator: Right. And the relatively small size further emphasizes the intimate, almost private nature of this material exploration. Editor: I see how thinking about the making informs the work! Thanks.