Grey / Blue on Green 1971

John Hoyland made this print, Grey / Blue on Green using screenprint techniques. Hoyland’s practice was rooted in process. He embraced chance, fluidity, and the raw energy of mark-making, creating works with a freedom that makes you want to dance! Take a look at the splatters, drips, and bold, blocky shapes, they create a playful tension between control and chaos. Notice how the cool blues and greens contrast with the pops of red and white. The flat planes of color create a surprising sense of depth, almost like a landscape. The screen printing technique gives it a graphic feel, but the hand-done elements keep it loose and lively. It feels as if the painting is constantly evolving. Hoyland’s art reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler’s soak-stain paintings, which explore similar ideas about color, space, and the physical properties of paint. Both artists invite us to embrace ambiguity and see the world with fresh eyes, one splash of color at a time.