Girl at Night 1966

Howard Hodgkin made this print, Girl at Night, and the overlapping shapes of pink, red, and white create a figure that feels both present and dreamlike. His process, like any art making, is about layering, not just colors but also emotions and memories. I love the way the shapes interact; how the red curves suggest arms or maybe just the energy of a gesture. The surface has a kind of velvety texture, which softens the intensity of the colours, especially up against the dense black background. The white areas aren't just blank spaces; they push forward, giving the composition its rhythm. Hodgkin's work always reminds me a little of Matisse, in how he uses color to evoke a mood and memory, but with a uniquely personal language. It's about suggesting a feeling rather than illustrating a story, leaving space for our own interpretations and emotional responses.