Motion II 1981

Robert Goodnough created "Motion II" as an abstract meditation on dynamism, likely sometime in the mid to late 20th century. The painting presents us with a field of geometric shapes. These angular forms give the impression of movement, of particles scattering or converging. Looking at this work, one might consider the cultural backdrop of its creation. In postwar America, the art world was shifting its focus away from traditional representation towards abstraction. Artists found inspiration in science, technology, and the rapid changes reshaping society. Goodnough's work seems to engage with these themes, hinting at larger social forces. His use of abstract shapes, however, avoids any direct political statement, instead inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of movement, change, and the forces that shape our world. To fully understand the work of artists like Goodnough, we need to turn to archives, period publications, and other historical sources. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.