Lewis Carroll with Alice 1961

Eileen Agar painted "Lewis Carroll with Alice" with oil on canvas. The way Agar approached the surface really interests me; it is a mosaic of geometric planes and patterned textures. Each colour seems to vibrate against its neighbour. The painting is built up of flat shapes, but it still feels spatial, like a stage setting for a play. Take a look at Alice’s face, split into turquoise and yellow sections, it's a masterclass in abstract portraiture. The ears are like jokey afterthoughts, daubed with colourful blobs. In fact the whole thing feels light and playful, there is a sense of humour. Agar’s approach reminds me of Francis Picabia, particularly his use of flat colour and collage. Ultimately, Agar’s painting reminds us that art is not about perfect representation but about opening up new possibilities for seeing and feeling.