Bird Cage Variation II 1958

Hans Hofmann made this painting, Bird Cage Variation II, using oils and what looks like a whole lotta energy. The way he attacks the canvas, it’s all about the process, the pure act of painting. Look at the surface – thick, juicy strokes of paint, almost sculptural. It’s not about hiding the process, but celebrating it. The bright red square sits front and center, so bold it almost vibrates. Then your eye is pulled into the dark, complex strokes underneath, a kind of hidden world. It feels like Hofmann is pushing and pulling space, making the painting breathe. I think of other expressionists, like de Kooning, who also weren't afraid to get messy and explore the raw power of paint. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfection, but about the messy, beautiful journey of making.