Deep Valley 2007

Ivan Eyre made this landscape, Deep Valley, at an unknown date with unknown materials. The way this work embraces a flattened perspective reminds me of Milton Avery. Notice the almost pointillist application of tiny dots that build up the image - it’s as though he’s building up the image from particles, letting the eye resolve the forms. Look closely at the details; Eyre’s color palette is very specific, creating tonal shifts that evoke a particular atmosphere. The surface is built up with layers of these small dots, giving it a subtle texture, like a screen. Focus on the way the blue mountains recede into the distance, each layer a slightly different shade. This rhythmic application is like a meditation. It creates a sense of space and depth while maintaining a strong sense of the material presence. Like Agnes Martin, the result is a landscape with a quiet beauty, a contemplative space.