Golden Door 1989

Richard Pousette-Dart created this painting, Golden Door, with dense layers of oil paint on canvas. The effect is almost mosaic-like. The painting's surface is built from countless small strokes, each a deliberate application of pigment. This repetitive, almost meditative process speaks to the labor involved. It also evokes the pointillist technique, though Pousette-Dart pushes it to the point of abstraction. The vibrant gold at the center seems to radiate outwards, framed by the more earthy tones. Looking closely, you can see that the white shapes aren't perfect. The hand-drawn quality gives them a sense of life. Pousette-Dart's engagement with materials and the act of making is central to understanding his work. It blurs the line between painting and something more tactile, like weaving or ceramics. This focus on process elevates the work beyond mere representation.