Centrifugal 1961

Adolph Gottlieb created this striking ink drawing, titled "Centrifugal," in 1961. The composition divides into two distinct registers. Above, a diffused red halo surrounds a solid, dark red circle. Its form appears almost celestial, radiating energy outward. Beneath, a dense, irregular black shape anchors the composition, its edges blurring into the paper. This stark contrast embodies the essence of Gottlieb’s "Burst" series. We can see Gottlieb explores primal dichotomies: order versus chaos, light versus dark. The floating orb evokes a sense of cosmic harmony, while the turbulent mass below suggests earthly struggle. Gottlieb’s deliberate use of ink and the bare paper creates a visual language of oppositions. The drawing doesn't illustrate a specific narrative. Instead, it invites us to contemplate fundamental forces through its abstract forms. Each viewer brings their own interpretation, making the artwork a dynamic site for reflection.