Number 17 1966

John McLaughlin, a late bloomer in the art world, created "Number 17," a piece that invites us to consider the power of simplicity and the complexities of cultural identity. McLaughlin, deeply influenced by his experiences in naval intelligence during World War II, sought to strip away the noise of the world and reveal something more essential. His interest in Japanese art and philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism, guided him towards a minimalist aesthetic. This painting, with its stark geometric forms, challenges traditional notions of representation. Instead of depicting a specific subject, McLaughlin encourages viewers to engage in their own process of perception and reflection. "I want to present an image which functions as a means for bringing about the focusing of one's awareness on one's own being," he said. In a society often defined by its complexities, McLaughlin's "Number 17" offers us a space for contemplation, inviting us to confront our own identities and experiences in the presence of pure form.