Points 1963

Robert Ryman made "Points" with white paint, layering brushstrokes in short, repetitive gestures. Imagine Ryman in his studio, maybe in New York City, considering the canvas, the light, and the subtle variations in the white pigment. It is easy to think, Oh, it’s just white! But look closely! See how each dab of paint catches the light differently? I bet he was thinking about the texture, surface, and the physicality of the medium. Each little brushstroke is a record of the artist's hand, a moment frozen in time. The painting becomes an arena where the act of painting itself is under examination. Ryman's work reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, an exchange of ideas across time. It's like he is in conversation with other painters. It's a form of embodied expression that embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.