Red Boat 1964

Robert Goodnough’s “Red Boat” is a collage, assembled from paper in 1964. You can see his process so clearly: cutting, arranging, and pasting. The shapes are simple, almost like organic forms, but they create a dynamic tension. The texture of the paper, its matte surface, gives the work a grounded, tactile quality. Look at how the black shapes interact with the reds and beiges – it’s like a visual dance. I'm drawn to the small red slivers peeking out from beneath the black shapes. They add a sense of depth and mystery, hinting at layers of meaning. Goodnough's approach reminds me a bit of Matisse’s paper cut-outs, that same playful exploration of form and color. But where Matisse feels decorative, Goodnough has a rawness, an almost childlike directness. It’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection. It’s about the messy, beautiful process of making.