Three People 1970

Rufino Tamayo built up this image of ‘Three People’ through layers of color and form. Look at how the fiery reds and purples are offset by that acidic yellow, like a strange sunset. I can imagine Tamayo’s process as one of constant adjustment, where each mark calls for another in response. Are they figures, or are they totems? I wonder if he saw them as representations of real people or more as stand-ins for universal human experiences. The textures look dry, almost chalky, which makes me think about the arid landscapes of Mexico, and the history of mural painting. That single yellow line running down the center of the middle figure—it's like a bolt of energy, animating the whole composition. It reminds me that artists like Tamayo are always in conversation with the past while pushing towards something new. Painting lets us embrace uncertainty, and find new meanings in the world.