Absolute 1993

Romero Britto made this bright, graphic image called Absolute, and, looking at its slick surface, it’s clear that art making is a process that requires many different approaches. I love how the black lines make all the colours pop, and how the vodka bottle is flattened into a symbol, rather than a realistic object. The abstract shapes and bold patterns create a sense of energy and excitement, like music you can see. The polka dots, stripes and swirls all seem to compete for attention. I wonder if Matisse ever drank a bottle of ‘Absolute’ vodka? His work is similar in some ways, like in the use of flat planes of bright colour and simplified forms. But, to me, this piece feels very much of its own time, like the artist is celebrating an open ended moment, where new ways of seeing and living can appear at any time.