Kobalt V 1977

Gunter Fruhtrunk made this painting, Kobalt V, using acrylic paint on canvas. At first glance, it might seem simple, but the impact comes from how carefully the paint is applied. Fruhtrunk’s process involved precise, controlled movements, creating those sharp lines and flat areas of color. There’s a real tension between the industrial feel of the bold geometric shapes and the handmade nature of painting. The diagonal lines, painted with such exactness, create a sense of movement and energy on the canvas, as though the image might slip right off the surface. The choice of materials and the way they're handled speak to a desire to bridge the gap between the mechanical and the human, between the clean lines of design and the subtle variations that come from a human hand at work. It reminds us that even in the most precise-looking art, there's always a story of labor, skill, and intention.