12 Part Line Painting 1984

Alan Charlton made this gray painting, 12 Part Line Painting, at an unknown date. When I look at it I wonder about the decision making process. Did the idea come first, or the gray? I know a lot of people think this kind of work looks easy, but I know that this is so NOT true! There is a whole world of gray and you have to pick the right one, and then you have to get the surface juuuuust right. This gray is complex, cool, and not at all sad! It is kind of optimistic, even! You also have to think about the edges. The painting feels like it could go on forever, and also that it has just the right amount of elements. It makes me think about the work of Agnes Martin, and painters who try to find some kind of essential element, like a note in music. All painters are in a long conversation with one another. It’s nice to listen in, isn’t it?