Summer Rain J-L-11 1986

Conrad Marca-Relli created "Summer Rain J-L-11" as an abstract piece with layers of shapes and colors. The composition is structured into three horizontal zones, with the top being the darkest and the bottom, the lightest. The artist uses the collage technique to build the surface. Marca-Relli's work destabilizes traditional notions of painting by incorporating collage, challenging the boundary between painting and sculpture, and undermining the illusion of depth typically found in painting. The interplay between the shapes creates a push and pull, with no clear focal point. The textures of the collaged elements add another layer of complexity. The dynamic between the flat planes of color and the spatial depth suggested by the collage elements creates visual interest, engaging with mid-20th century debates about the nature of painting. It invites us to reconsider how we perceive space and form in art.