Spring Symmetry 1999

Samia Halaby’s Spring Symmetry is a party of color, a joyous scattering of marks on a surface. You get the feeling it’s about the act of painting, one brushstroke at a time. Up close, each little dab of color is distinct, almost like individual petals or confetti pieces thrown in the air. The texture isn’t heavy or built-up, but the colors create a real sense of depth. Halaby’s palette is full of warm shades – reds, oranges, yellows, and greens – so the little cool blues become focal points, little resting places for your eye. That all-over approach, that emphasis on the surface, reminds me a little bit of Joan Mitchell, but with its own distinct energy and process. It embraces not having one clear focus, inviting you to get lost in the painting. Like spring itself, it’s a celebration of possibilities.