20 November 1959 1959

Conrad Marca-Relli made this collage painting, "20 November 1959," by layering canvas scraps onto the surface. It’s a bit like a puzzle, with the artist figuring out how each piece fits, where to put it, and how the whole thing comes together. I imagine him moving the pieces around, guided by intuition. What was he thinking on that day? I wonder if he let the canvas lead him, allowing shapes and colors to suggest the next move. The dark, inky blots are particularly arresting. They have a mysterious quality and evoke a sense of depth. The tan of the raw canvas peeks through between the pieces, giving the work a tactile quality. Marca-Relli was part of the New York School, hanging out with Pollock, de Kooning, and Rothko. I can see that vibe here, this community feel, each artist in conversation with the others. It reminds me that painting is an ongoing dialogue, where artists riff off each other's ideas, responding to and building upon the tradition. Like a jazz band, improvising together, one note at a time, not knowing exactly where it will lead.