Muro Romano 1958

Mimmo Rotella made this artwork called ‘Muro Romano’ and you can almost feel how it came to be. The blue ground is mottled with reds and browns, and this torn paper stuck on top. It’s not just a surface; it's a record of actions, choices, and maybe even some happy accidents. I wonder what it was like for Rotella in the studio that day. Was he feeling restless? Impatient? You know, sometimes, the best paintings come from those moments when you just let go and trust your instincts. Look closely at the edges of the paper. See how they curl and peel away from the surface? That’s not just about texture; it’s about vulnerability, exposure. It reminds me that, as artists, we’re all just trying to make sense of the world, one gesture, one mark, one tear at a time. He’s in conversation with other artists like Rauschenberg or even earlier collage artists. We're all looking at each other's work, borrowing, stealing, and riffing off each other. It’s a beautiful, messy, ongoing dialogue.