Serie MICRAS 2017

Requena Nozal made this painting, Serie Micras, using paint, though when is less clear. There's something about the making that feels so front-loaded; like the process is visible right there on the surface. Look at how the paint's been built up, layer upon layer. It's thick, almost sculptural, especially that white area where the paint is built up into a rough texture. The blue, black and grey sections feel like they've been dragged across, maybe with a palette knife. The white is more like lots of little pebbles or mounds. See how it interacts with the blue, creating this jagged edge, like a coastline viewed from above. You can almost feel the push and pull of the tools, the artist's hand, the energy of the making. This piece reminds me of Antoni Tàpies' work, particularly in its emphasis on texture and materiality. Like Tàpies, Nozal uses the physical properties of paint to create a sense of depth and complexity, inviting us to really look at the surface, rather than through it. It’s an ongoing conversation, this painting thing.