Untitled; verso: blank page 1964

Curator: Standing before us is an untitled piece by Paul Feeley, an American artist born in 1910, part of a sketchbook now held by the Harvard Art Museums. What leaps out at you? Editor: It’s playful! Those bright, curved shapes arranged around a central point remind me of petals, or maybe even cheerful, winking faces. Curator: Feeley's work often explores geometric abstraction with an eye toward classical forms. Notice how he uses a grid to organize these four repeating motifs. Does that structure alter your initial impression? Editor: It does ground it somewhat. The grid feels like an underlying structure, almost like a scaffold that supports the lightness of those candy-colored shapes. They are almost smiley like. Curator: I think that’s beautifully observed. His method also reminds me of a game – a kaleidoscope that transforms with each turn. Editor: Exactly, and within that structure, the slight variations in color and form feel almost like individual personalities shining through. It’s a fascinating balance. Curator: Yes, I come away feeling that simplicity can hold complexity, and that the act of play is fundamental to art.