Altar for Chinese Temple c. 1939

Vera Van Voris made this 'Altar for Chinese Temple' using what looks like pencil and maybe watercolor on paper. It's all about process, isn't it? The way she builds up these layers of color. The red is so striking, but it's not flat, you know? It's got this depth, this almost earthy quality to it. And then, those grayish-blue panels, they really make the red pop. I'm curious about the surface texture; it looks so smooth, but I bet if you get up close, you can see all the little marks and gestures that went into making it. Look at the doors in the center of the piece. The way they're slightly off-center, it's like she's inviting you in, but also keeping you at a distance. It feels both familiar and a bit mysterious, like art should be. This piece reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin, her quietness and subtle use of color to create this sense of stillness and contemplation. Art isn't about answers. It's about the questions and the spaces in between.