Composition 1963

This abstract composition was made by Hryhorii Havrylenko using what looks like gouache or maybe tempera. It's all about these gentle, muted colours laid down in simple blocks. I like the way the process feels so present, the colours slightly transparent, like washes that let the paper breathe through. Look at the central grey pillar—it’s not trying to be perfect. It wobbles a little, and you can see a build-up of the paint, especially along the edges. It’s as if Havrylenko is saying, "Here's the gesture, here's the hand." That mark carries the whole piece, acting like a spine that holds the softer shapes in place. The colours, too, they're not shouting. They're having a quiet conversation. The slightly off-white against that pale sky blue, and the way that greenish block anchors the bottom. This feels almost like a Rothko, but with a touch more vulnerability. It’s like the artist is letting us in on the secret that making art is about embracing the imperfections, the little accidents, and the things that can’t be controlled.