Otto E Mezzo 1970

Erro made this painting, Otto E Mezzo, layering image upon image, like building a collage out of paint. You can see that Erro's art-making is very process-oriented, building up a complex arrangement of forms and colours. The texture is smooth, almost like pop art. The figures are outlined with hard edges, and the colours are vibrant, heightening the feeling of an alternate reality. There's a figure near the center of the image holding a box over his head. Look at the way the artist renders the arms. See how they are built out of clearly defined areas of tone and shadow. There's a playful quality to the work, but it is also a little bit alarming. The way Erro pieces things together reminds me of Sigmar Polke, another artist who plays with popular imagery. Ultimately, Erro's painting resists easy interpretation, embracing the weird and wild freedom of imagination.