Round About 1973

Editor: This is Norman Bluhm's "Round About," an acrylic on canvas from 1973. The painting's energy really jumps out; the swirling shapes and contrasting colours give a real sense of movement. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It is true. The dynamism is palpable! To me, this work is all about the raw power of primal forms. The swirling colors suggest the chaotic energy of creation, the kind of imagery one might find in creation myths. Notice how the yellow and black cluster dominates a relatively calmer field. What might those aggressive dark scribbles overlaying a soft yellow evoke? Editor: Perhaps an unleashing of repressed energy or anxieties? They’re certainly the focal point. Curator: Exactly! These clustered strokes, rendered in impasto, have a distinct psychological weight. Consider the tradition of abstract expressionism in general - these artists were working to express universal, often subconscious emotions through form and color. What continuity can you draw from Bluhm's abstraction, informed by action-painting, with that collective search? Editor: It strikes me as less angst-ridden than some others from the period. There's a vibrancy that feels celebratory rather than tormented. Curator: An interesting counterpoint! The tension between chaos and exuberance is certainly a key element of its visual power. Consider those broad expanses of ochre—a color linked to earth, stability and continuity. Editor: That's a helpful observation. It gives a solid background to the more active areas. Seeing this "stability" differently gives me a wider viewpoint on the expressionism movement! Curator: Indeed! Reflecting on visual symbols gives one an enriched reading, helping explore the cultural weight over time.