1951 1951

Curator: At first glance, this artwork presents a bold, almost primal energy with its jumble of colours and shapes. It feels… untamed. Editor: That’s a good way to put it. This is “1951” by Karel Appel. Dating from 1951, the piece is comprised of acrylic paint on canvas, fitting into both Art Informel and Abstract Expressionist movements. It’s fascinating how those styles converge. Curator: Appel really lays down the paint, doesn't he? Look at those thick impasto layers. One wonders about the kind of brushes and acrylics he was using. The gestural quality suggests a rapid, almost frenzied application. It speaks of a liberation in the artistic process, a breaking away from academic constraint and embracing a pure, unfiltered expression. It makes me wonder what effect the scarcity of materials would have had on his selection too. Editor: Absolutely, and in 1951, Appel was already deeply involved with the CoBrA group, a collective that rejected prevailing artistic norms and sought a more spontaneous, childlike mode of creation. The political climate of post-war Europe surely impacted the desire to break away from established artistic traditions. It feels raw. Curator: Raw, yes! You can almost feel the resistance in the strokes. Was he thinking of dismantling elitist hierarchies with this material rebellion? Rejecting tradition using such bold hues must have challenged perceptions. Editor: It definitely played a role. Appel and CoBrA championed a more democratic art, drawing inspiration from folk art, children’s drawings, and non-Western sources, aiming to create an art accessible to all, rather than a select elite. Considering the rise of street art as well, the mural art essence could indicate Appel's aim to escape traditional constraints. Curator: The work's seemingly chaotic nature belies a deep sense of order. Each brushstroke, each colour choice seems deliberate. Editor: Indeed. Even within what appears like chaos, there’s a discernible structure, perhaps mirroring the complex socio-political environment of the time. Appel's piece forces us to grapple with uncomfortable truths. Curator: It’s certainly sparked a lively discussion for me, it is exciting to explore. Editor: And hopefully our listeners, too, will find a fresh appreciation for Appel’s bold experiment with artmaking.