Untitled 1973

This untitled painting is by Peter Alexander. It's executed in watercolor on paper. Here, the qualities of the watercolor medium are really essential. Notice the way the pigment subtly pools and bleeds into the paper, creating soft gradations of color. Alexander has masterfully exploited the inherent fluidity of the watercolor, allowing the medium itself to dictate the form. It’s a traditional process, demanding patience and careful control to achieve the desired atmospheric effect. In this work, the artist appears to be engaging with a long history of landscape painting, particularly in its focus on light and atmosphere. But the minimalist composition and emphasis on material process also connect it to more contemporary concerns. By bringing these different aesthetic traditions together, the artist prompts us to consider the value of time and skill within a culture of mass production.