Untitled 1966

Craig Kauffman made this untitled, super shiny orange piece with acrylic and lacquer. And when I say shiny, I mean it! It’s like a candy-coated dream. What gets me is the color, an almost traffic-cone orange, but with this slick, liquid finish. It's not just paint slapped on; it's poured, layered, and manipulated. The surface has these subtle waves and curves, like the whole thing is breathing. Notice the thin line that runs along the edges? It's like a delicate frame trying to contain all that vibrant energy, or maybe it’s a neon light glowing from within. Kauffman had this knack for making art that’s both seductive and a little unsettling. It reminds me a bit of some of John Chamberlain’s crushed metal sculptures, but instead of crumpling and welding, Kauffman is all about smooth, seductive surfaces. Ultimately, it leaves you wondering: is it a painting, a sculpture, or some futuristic object? And that's exactly the point, isn't it?