Confrontation 1968

Merton Simpson’s "Confrontation" is a watercolor on paper where the act of painting feels like a raw, immediate encounter. The stark contrast of blacks, whites, and grays creates a sense of urgency, like a conversation shouted across a crowded room. Look at how Simpson uses the brush, those bold, sweeping gestures that define the contours of the face. It’s almost as if he’s wrestling with the image, trying to pin down something elusive. The paint isn't precious; it's laid down with an unapologetic directness that speaks volumes about the artist's process. Notice that one small stroke of white at the corner of the left ‘eye’ which is also a mouth? It's the smallest mark, but it animates the whole image and makes it impossible to look away. Simpson's work reminds me of de Kooning, not in style, but in the courage to let the painting be unresolved, a site of continuous questioning. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about the messy, beautiful struggle to make sense of the world.