Gevouwen vorm 1986

Maria van Elk made "Gevouwen vorm" which translates to "folded form", on paper. What I notice about this piece is its flat planes of simple shapes and cool hues. The blue square within a white square creates a serene yet structured visual experience. The texture of the paper is rough and tactile, especially around the edges. It reminds me of printmaking, where the impression of the block leaves its mark on the page. The blue square is opaque, solid, and unwavering. The mark making is not concealed, you can see the roughness of the printing process. In contrast, the surrounding white space feels lighter and more fragile. The blue looks almost collaged, it is so solid and yet contained. This contrast is reminiscent of Josef Albers' "Homage to the Square" series, in its exploration of color relationships and geometric forms. However, van Elk’s work has a quiet simplicity that feels very grounded and honest. It's a lovely meditation on form and process.