Orange-Gris-Bleu 1974

Olivier Debre made this painting called 'Orange-Gris-Bleu' without noting the date, using a kind of see-through process, the colours layered on top of one another until the canvas is covered with a shimmering haze. Looking closely, I see moments where the paint seems to drip downwards, like the work was made flat on a table and then rotated. This speaks to the physical process of artmaking, how the paint itself becomes a kind of actor, moving and settling in unpredictable ways. The texture is smooth, but alive, a testament to the fluidity of paint and the artist’s hand. It reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell, who was also interested in the pure feeling of colour and gesture. Ultimately, 'Orange-Gris-Bleu' is less about what it represents and more about what it evokes – a sense of calm, of openness, and maybe even a touch of melancholy. Art doesn't always have to shout; sometimes, it whispers.