Untitled 1966

Richard Artschwager made this painting, with its dominant earthy tones and a central geometric shape, through a dance of intention and chance, I imagine. I sympathize with the artist here, wondering what it might have been like to coax such a work into being. What thoughts might have crossed his mind as he layered those browns and oranges, allowing them to mingle and merge? The texture speaks of a surface built up through patient application, each layer responding to the last. See how the dark geometric form, with its almost architectural presence, sits within the swirling ground? It’s a conversation between order and chaos, control and surrender. Artschwager, like many painters, reminds us that making art is an act of exchange – an ongoing dialogue across time and practice that embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple readings. It's a physical, embodied process where uncertainty isn't a barrier but rather a gateway to new ideas.