Black Discs over Red Plain 1964

Alexander Calder made 'Black Discs over Red Plain' sometime in 1964, and it’s a reminder that even seemingly simple shapes can carry a lot of visual punch. I see Calder using these flat planes of color to create a sense of space, with the red pushing forward and the beige receding. The surface is pretty smooth but there's a clear sense of the hand, which is a good reminder that it's often the physical act of painting itself that makes a piece really sing. Look at that little cluster of lines in the oval on the right – they don't quite make a perfect shape, but it’s this kind of wobbly line that gives the piece some real character. It makes me think of Joan Miró, who was playing with similar kinds of biomorphic shapes. Ultimately, this work is about embracing the playful possibilities of painting and reminding us that sometimes the simplest gestures can be the most captivating.