4 1976

Here, Charles Garabedian presents us with a painting where the stark numeral ‘4’ hovers amidst a tableau of loosely defined forms. The number, stark and isolated, prompts a dive into the subconscious, echoing the ancient Greek concept of the ‘Tetrachys’ where the number four symbolized cosmic order and justice. Notice how Garabedian places this potent symbol within a field of abstracted shapes, seemingly unrelated yet charged with an enigmatic energy. One could argue this bold numeral descends from the same symbolic lineage as the Pythagorean reverence for numbers, acting as a gateway into understanding the universe. But here, the context is disrupted, fragmented. The number ‘4’, which once stood for steadfastness, now floats disconnected, as if questioning its own significance. And yet, it persists, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols, how they evolve and resurface, carrying echoes of past meanings into our present consciousness.