Composition rouge 1968

"Composition rouge" is an abstract painting by Serge Poliakoff, whose personal history as a Russian émigré undoubtedly shaped his artistic vision. Poliakoff lived in Paris during a time when the city was a melting pot of artistic innovation, attracting artists from all over the world. The Russian Revolution forced many artists like Poliakoff to leave their homeland, and this displacement deeply impacted their identities and creative expressions. His work is marked by the use of non-objective forms and bold colors, which were not just aesthetic choices but also a reflection of the emotional and psychological impact of displacement and cultural assimilation. Poliakoff himself once described his work as a quest to "find the inner harmony" through form and color. The composition invites us to consider the interplay of colors and shapes as a metaphor for cultural integration and the search for a new identity. The painting serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity to create beauty and find harmony in the face of adversity.