Untitled; verso: blank page 1964

Curator: Here we have an untitled piece by Paul Feeley. It’s a watercolor on paper, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, and while it's undated, it encapsulates much of Feeley’s playful approach to abstraction. Editor: It's got such a whimsical, almost childlike quality, doesn't it? This splash of bright color on all that white space—it feels like a secret little world discovered on a blank page. Curator: Absolutely. Feeley's work often engaged with the legacy of geometric abstraction, but he infused it with a sense of levity, perhaps even a critique of its seriousness. Think of the ways the hard edges of color field painting are softened here. Editor: Softened, yeah, or maybe even mocked gently! It is like a little explosion of joy. The colors feel like they are trying to escape their shapes. Curator: It's fascinating to consider this piece within the context of mid-century American art. We see movements like Abstract Expressionism wrestling with existential themes, while Feeley seems to be saying, "Let’s play with color and form, and not take ourselves too seriously.” Editor: Which, honestly, is a perspective I deeply appreciate. Sometimes, the most profound statements are the ones whispered with a smile. Curator: Precisely. I think Feeley reminds us that art can be both intellectually stimulating and simply delightful. Editor: It's a breath of fresh air, really. I feel lighter just having spent a moment with it.