Spirit's Constellation 1952

Sylvia Wald made this "Spirit's Constellation" using processes that feel very experimental and exploratory. The mark-making is so varied! Look at how Wald builds up the surface with layers of texture and color. The paint is thin in some areas, allowing the paper to peek through, and thicker in others, creating a tactile surface. The orange shape almost floats on the surface. The artist leaves traces of her process visible, like the subtle brushstrokes and drips that add to the painting's mysterious atmosphere. There’s a section, on the right, where it almost looks like she's built up a little tree with textured marks. The way she’s created this piece reminds me of the work of Myron Stout. But really, it’s a conversation between materials, process, and the artist’s hand, leading to something that embraces multiple readings.