Thersites (Chastened) 2012

Ron Gorchov made "Thersites (Chastened)" with simple brushstrokes and a muted palette of lavender, cream and dark blue. Looking at this, I imagine Gorchov approaching the canvas, maybe tentatively at first. He is pushing and pulling the paint around, building up layers, wiping them away. There is a history of decisions embedded in this piece. I sympathize with the artist, wrestling with form and color, trying to find a balance. Those two openings—one a pale white, the other a deep navy—are almost like two eyes staring back at you, drawing you in. The paint isn't too thick, but you can still feel the texture, the surface quality, and the physicality of it all. There's a kinship here with other painters, like Forrest Bess, who were also exploring the subconscious and the mythic through simple forms. Artists have always looked at each other, borrowing, riffing, and building upon what came before. Painting is this ongoing conversation across time, and we are lucky to eavesdrop!