Untitled (SFP94-43, SF94-044) 1994

Editor: This is "Untitled (SFP94-43, SF94-044)" by Sam Francis, created in 1994 using acrylic paint. It’s… incredibly energetic! The colors feel almost explosive. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, if we're considering Francis' process, we need to think about acrylic's unique properties. Its fast-drying nature allowed him to build layers quickly, creating those vibrant, almost pulsating fields of color. Also consider the impact of the post-war art market on his practice - the increased demand leading artists towards potentially larger-scale works made using easily obtainable materials such as acrylic. Editor: So the material itself, the acrylic, almost dictates a certain pace and scale? Curator: Precisely. It wasn't just about artistic inspiration; the materiality and availability of resources shaped the artwork. How do you view the relationship between these splashes and the white canvas it's applied on? Is it figure-ground, or something else entirely? Editor: I guess I always saw the white as background, as space around the color. But thinking about the materials, the white is just as *present* as the color. Curator: Right. It’s an active element. What is Francis trying to "say" here about materiality? What were his conditions of production? And how did that interplay feed into the finished work? The “aura” is found precisely in this making, a constant negotiation of form and anti-form…of matter. Editor: It definitely gives me a lot to think about regarding the relationship between the artist's choices, the materials available, and the art market’s demands. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure!