Quilt 1963

Thomas Downing made "Quilt" with paint, and he was clearly interested in the play between order and chance. The surface is smooth, almost like it’s been printed, yet each dot has its own little halo, a subtle aura of imperfection, proving that this was made by hand. I like how the colors—mustard yellow, orange, a kind of muted teal and white—vibrate against the neutral background. There’s a push and pull, as the colors cluster and then disperse. Look closely at the way the orange and teal dots nestle up against the white ones, creating a subtle visual rhythm. The edges of the composition aren’t sharply defined, but dissolve into the background, suggesting that the pattern could extend infinitely. It reminds me of Agnes Martin, her use of grids, but with a warmer, more playful sensibility. With Downing, it’s like the grid has been given a day off, to kick back and enjoy the sun.