Solar Imp 2001

Helen Frankenthaler made this print, Solar Imp, with lithography, a process that’s all about layering and seeing what happens. The whole thing is kind of soaked in this hazy, yellowy light, with these crisp black shapes floating on top. The texture makes me think of the fuzzy surface of a peach, like it’s both there and not there at the same time. Look at that little green square, hanging out in the middle of everything. It’s such a small gesture, but it holds the whole composition together, like a tiny keystone. You get the feeling that Frankenthaler wasn't afraid to let the materials do their thing, to let the process guide her. Frankenthaler's work reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell, another painter who wasn't afraid to get messy and see where the paint took her. Ultimately, art is about asking questions, not giving answers, and this piece is full of juicy, unanswered questions.