Small Things 1966

Karlo Zvirynsky made Small Things, possibly in 1966, from paint, I presume. The whole thing has this wonderful, muted palette, like a memory fading, each colour slightly desaturated as if seen through a veil. This really emphasises the process of artmaking; where each element is carefully considered and placed. There’s a beautiful materiality to this work. It’s really grounded in the physical world by the texture of the paint, which isn’t trying to hide itself. The paint application is visible and raw. Look at the dice and the cone, and how they sit next to each other. There's something about the contrast of the crispness with the muted tones that I find so appealing. This kind of still life reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, in the way it transforms everyday objects into something quietly profound. It’s not about any single or correct interpretation but about the ongoing exchange of ideas and influences that is the joy of art.