Lutte as Ciel 1937

John Ferren, sometime between the 30s and 60s, made ‘Lutte as Ciel’ with oil paint, and I’m really feeling it! The shapes are so clear and distinct, but I find it hard to grasp any fixed idea or image. The different coloured forms pull and push. I keep trying to find the underlying structure that will give me the key to the painting. I imagine Ferren, his mind a whirlwind of ideas, standing at his easel and deciding what to do next, responding intuitively. The process is so thoughtful, each stroke a meditation. Look at that white triangle, sliced diagonally with blue. The shapes feel so dynamic, like they’re about to burst out. I love how artists like Ferren are in a constant dialogue with each other, pushing the boundaries of what painting can be. It’s a conversation that never ends, full of delightful surprises.