Mountain Landscape 1970

Alla Horska made this mountain landscape with paint, and it feels like she was more interested in the *idea* of a mountain than painting a realistic one. The shapes are laid down with such clear and distinct strokes; you can almost see her thinking through each colour and form. It's like she's building the landscape from the ground up. The mountain itself is a jumble of blues, greens, and purples. It reminds me of when I'm working on a canvas and trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together. Look at that small red triangle on the right-hand side of the mountain. It's such a small detail, but it pops out against the blues and greens, adding a punch of energy to the whole scene. In some ways this piece reminds me of the work of Fernand Léger - that same interest in structure, form, and the way colors can create a sense of depth and movement. With Horska, like Léger, the process is the point. It is a journey in seeing!