Untitled (from Marginalia: Hommage to Shimizu) 1979

This is an untitled print by Sam Francis, part of his 'Hommage to Shimizu’ series. Francis, like myself, understood art as a process of discovery. The layered rectangles in this print, built up through splatters and washes, show this so well. The physicality of the medium is really important here. The texture is built up with layers of transparent inks, creating depth and vibration. Look at the edges of the central square! See how the red bleeds into the surrounding blues and purples? The effect is chaotic, but controlled. This reminds me of Helen Frankenthaler, another abstract painter, whose soak-stain technique explored similar ideas about color and chance. Ultimately, this print is about the beauty of improvisation and the ongoing conversation between artists across time. It celebrates ambiguity and the joy of multiple interpretations.