Návraty I (Returns I) 1992

Josef Hlavácek made "Returns I," a print of vertical bars in pink, black, yellow, and orange. I love the way the colors sit side by side! When I look at the artwork, I immediately think about the kind of labor that Hlavácek went through to produce it. You know, the carving and printing, the wiping and reapplying. The repetition involved in the process is something I really get as a painter. It's like Hlavácek is having a conversation with the materials, figuring out how to get them to do what he wants, but also letting them have their say. The different bars are like different moods, all lined up together. The bright pink is like a jolt of energy, while the darker shades feel more subdued and reflective. And the yellows kind of sing! It’s like a party of colors, each one bringing its own flavor to the mix. "Returns I" reminds me of other printmakers and painters who are interested in color and pattern. It feels like we're all part of this ongoing conversation, bouncing ideas off each other across time and space.