5 1973

Curator: Right, let’s look at Richard Smith's "5" held here at the Tate. It's undated but look at that sunny disposition! What strikes you first? Editor: Pure joy, almost aggressively cheerful. That unapologetic yellow practically vibrates against the pastel lavender, like sunshine hitting candy floss. Curator: Notice how the circle is neatly divided in two, quartered even, yet the loose brushstrokes contradict any rigid geometry? It's a controlled chaos. Editor: Exactly, and the use of the string... it anchors the painted surface, making a direct connection to the physical world beyond the canvas. It's brilliant! Curator: A bit of a head-scratcher, in the best possible way. The more I look, the more questions arise and... Editor: Perhaps that's the point? To not offer easy answers, but to let us bask in the sheer pleasure of color and form. A truly beautiful thing.