Aluminum Steel 1971

Samia Halaby created "Aluminum Steel" using layered, interlocking forms in cool metallic shades. It’s as if the painting itself is bending and reflecting light, mimicking the sleek surface of metal. Imagine Halaby in her studio, carefully building up the composition, layering each section to create this play of depth and dimension. You can almost feel the push and pull of the brush, the way she coaxes the colors to suggest both solidity and fluidity. It reminds me of some of the Op Art paintings of the 60s. Halaby’s piece also has this incredible sense of movement and depth, creating an immersive experience that draws you in. There’s a particular curve, in the top left, where the form seems to peel away from the surface. It is almost as if the painting is revealing something underneath. Artists are always in conversation, pushing each other to see the world in new ways, and Halaby’s "Aluminum Steel" is a beautiful example of this ongoing dialogue.