Untitled 2008

Makinti Napanangka made this Untitled painting, probably in the 2000’s, using acrylic on linen. The rhythmic application of yellow and white becomes a form of process-based knowledge. It is like a language made up of strokes, a system to which we are not privy, but one we can enjoy nonetheless. Up close, you can see how the paint is applied with a kind of dry brush technique, leaving a textured surface. The yellow lines, are they pathways? Rivers? The white background feels equally important, not just a void, but an active participant in the visual dance. The surface has a real physicality, you can almost feel the movement of Napanangka’s hand as she created these marks. Look closely at the way the lines converge and diverge; that’s where the painting really comes alive, right? The controlled palette reminds me of Agnes Martin, who used restrained color to explore the complexities of line and form. Like Martin, Napanangka embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the work. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about fixed answers, but about the questions it provokes.