Vivid Spring 1988

Ronnie Landfield's abstract painting titled Vivid Spring, employs bold colors, reminiscent of the Color Field movement, and was created during a period of significant social and political change. Landfield, born in 1947, came of age during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. How might these events have influenced his artistic expression? The vibrant colors and stark contrasts in the painting could represent the tumultuous emotions and sharp divisions within American society at that time. The layers of color seem to express the complicated layers within society. The red, yellow, and blue could symbolize fire, peace and water respectively, indicating that the painting could reference rebirth. In what ways does the absence of explicit figures or narratives invite viewers to project their own experiences and interpretations onto the canvas? Vivid Spring captures the emotional intensity of a generation grappling with identity and purpose.