Untitled (SFP94-23, SF94-036) 1994

This untitled piece was made by Sam Francis in 1994, using, it looks like, poured paint. There's a real sense of immediacy here, a directness that’s both exciting and a little bit wild. The color palette is bold, almost jarring – bright greens, purples, and oranges splattered across the canvas, meeting teal and white. It feels like Francis was chasing something, a feeling or a rhythm, and the painting is what was left behind. Look at the way the colors interact, how they drip and bleed into each other. There’s very little blending of the colors, the interactions mostly create a staccato effect. The white of the canvas peeks through in places, creating a kind of negative space that's just as important as the painted areas. It reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell, actually, but with a more chaotic energy. Both artists share that willingness to let the paint do its thing, to embrace chance and accident. But where Mitchell feels lyrical, Francis is more like a primal scream. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide. That’s the beauty of art, isn't it?