Erotic 1998

Yiannis Moralis made this painting, Erotic, with muted hues and deliberate forms. I imagine the painting coming into being slowly, layer by layer, building up planes of color into a kind of intimate geometry. Looking at this painting, I imagine Moralis considering the negative spaces as much as the solid forms. You can see how the shapes play with each other, creating a puzzle of interlocking planes. The palette is so understated: black, white, beige and a brownish hue, yet it speaks volumes about form and shadow. There's a real sense of thoughtfulness here. Nothing feels rushed or accidental. I wonder if he knew artists like Agnes Martin, whose work also explores the power of reduction and restraint. It's like Moralis is inviting us to slow down and really see the subtle nuances of form and color. It’s this kind of quiet intensity that keeps artists in conversation across generations.