Canonical Image 1979

Oleksandr Aksinin made this watercolour, 'Canonical Image', but I have no idea when. The colour palette is both arresting and strangely unsettling, and I love the commitment to a process led way of working. The material aspects of this piece grab you. The layers of color create this wonderful texture, a surface that feels both planned and accidental. Look at that red oval shape, sitting atop those spindly green legs. It’s a juicy, vibrant color. The way the red is laid down over the paper feels both intentional and carefree. You can see the artist's hand in it, that’s for sure. Aksinin reminds me of Paul Klee, someone else who embraced the playful side of artmaking. Ultimately, art should be a conversation, an ongoing dialogue across time. And it’s okay if we don’t always have all the answers. Ambiguity keeps things interesting, right?