Construction 1968

Alexander Bogen made this painting "Construction" with oil on canvas, and it feels like it was a wrestling match—a testament to persistence. Look at how Bogen layers thick black bars, that seem to dominate the canvas. I imagine him standing here, brush in hand, maybe stepping back, squinting, then diving back in. He's pushing and pulling the paint, trying to get those shapes just right, and the white peeks through here and there like a breath of fresh air. It reminds me of Franz Kline’s black and white paintings; these shapes are bold but there are soft, washy colors here too—pale yellow, orange—and a feeling of muted light. The physicality of the paint is important too, you can see the brushstrokes, the texture, the way the colors blend slightly. It feels raw and honest, but Bogen is so in control of his medium.