Composition II 2000

Ion Alin Gheorghiu made this painting, Composition II, and the approach to mark making feels almost like jazz—improvisational and intuitive. Looking closely, you can see how the paint is applied, thick in some areas, thin in others, creating a real sense of texture, but it’s not about realism. The colours, are playful, almost childlike, with this mix of patterns and shapes that create a layered image. There’s this area, right in the centre, where you've got this explosion of yellow polka dots on an orange field—it’s so joyous and energetic! It brings the whole composition to life and ties everything together, like a chord that resolves the whole tune. Gheorghiu’s work reminds me a little of Miró, with that same sense of freedom and playfulness. But it's also very much his own thing, like a personal language he’s invented. I think it is really interesting how this piece embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations and experiences to it.