Numbers #3 1968

Robert Indiana’s ‘Numbers #3’ is a screenprint, a medium that lends itself so well to bold graphic statements. Look at the way the orange pops against that intense teal, and the sharp blue cutting through the heart of the three. It’s electric! The colours are laid down flat, in blocks, with no visible brushstrokes. It makes me think about the mechanics of printing, the joy of getting a clean, crisp edge. The orange ‘THREE’ at the bottom anchors the composition, it's so solid and sure of itself. I can't help but see a connection with the work of Corita Kent, the pop art nun. Both artists used vibrant colours and text to create images that are both visually arresting and deeply meaningful. Indiana’s print leaves room for interpretation, inviting us to bring our own associations to the number three. What does it mean to you?