Lice 1945

This geometric abstraction, Lice, by Carmelo Arden Quin, really plays with how we see shapes and colors. Imagine the artist, maybe shifting these flat planes around, trying different combinations. The painting seems to be made up of different frames within frames, each holding its own color or pattern. There's a blue rectangle, a silver parallelogram, and stripes of yellow and white—all contained by these hard-edged, black frames. I'm especially drawn to how the shapes interrupt the outer edges of the canvas, pushing beyond the conventional boundaries. It's like the painting is trying to escape its own frame! Arden Quin was interested in challenging traditional notions of art. His work reminds me a little of Piet Mondrian’s geometric compositions, but with a quirkier, more playful vibe. It also anticipates some later developments in shaped canvas painting. These artists are always in conversation with each other, you know?