Thalocropolis 1966

Al Held made Thalocropolis with clean lines and bold shapes in black, white and yellow. It's like he's building up a world, or maybe deconstructing one! I can just imagine Held in his studio, stepping back, squinting, maybe adding a dash of yellow at the last minute like a little spark. The black feels solid, like it's been laid down with a real sense of certainty. It's such a strong contrast with all that white space. I wonder if he was thinking about architecture, about making these simple forms into something monumental? Held plays with positive and negative space. I am reminded of the bold graphics of Stuart Davis, or maybe even some early Mondrian, except Held is pushing things further towards pure form and abstraction. Artists like Held are in an ongoing conversation across time, inspiring one another’s creativity. It's a reminder that painting isn't about fixed meanings, it’s a space for thinking, feeling, and seeing in new ways.