Noir d'ivoire I 2008

Monique Orsini made "Noir d'ivoire I" using bold, sweeping brushstrokes and a stark black and white palette. Right away, you get the sense that she’s working quickly and instinctively. Looking closely, you can really see the physicality of the paint – the texture, the way it’s laid on, sometimes thick, sometimes almost transparent, and how that shapes the mood. There’s this one area on the right where the brushstrokes seem to feather out. It's almost like Orsini's trying to capture movement or light. This piece reminds me a bit of Franz Kline. Both he and Orsini have this ability to create dynamic compositions using just black and white. In the end, "Noir d'ivoire I" is a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation. We bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table, and the conversation continues.