Current 1981

Friedel Dzubas made this painting, called Current, using acrylic on canvas. The material itself has a lot to do with what you see. Dzubas was a key figure in the shift towards this medium. Acrylic paints, a product of the mid-20th century, offered a new way for artists to work. Unlike oil paints, acrylics dry quickly. This allowed Dzubas to layer colors rapidly, creating these hazy effects. The painting’s layered fields of color showcase the material properties of acrylics. Dzubas took advantage of its capacity for large-scale application and quick build-up. He stained and brushed the canvas, playing with transparency and opacity. The work’s material properties have social significance too. Acrylic paints, produced industrially, made art more accessible and challenged traditional hierarchies between media. So next time you look at a painting, think about the materials. They shape not just what we see, but also the very meaning of the work.