Composition 1974

Cesar Domela made this 'Composition' in 1965 using screenprint on paper. Just imagine Domela in his studio, sleeves rolled up, carefully aligning the screens, pulling squeegees, and gradually building up the image layer by layer. There is a lovely combination of geometric shapes in red, yellow, and blue, with the straight lines contrasting the curved ones. This work is so emblematic of the artist's distinct aesthetic. Do you notice how the elements in the artwork seem to float on the surface? There is that lovely blue circle in the bottom which looks as if it anchors the composition. I wonder what Domela was thinking when he decided to bring together these shapes and colours. It is exciting to imagine how Domela's 'Composition' sits in a long lineage of artists pushing the boundaries of abstraction, each contributing their unique vision to the ongoing conversation about what painting can be.