Shapes Group 1987

Robert Goodnough made this painting, Shapes Group, with small shapes on a neutral ground. It's kind of magical how these little bits come together, like puzzle pieces finding their place. The texture here is really interesting. Up close, you can see how the paint has a kind of build-up, and the edges are sharp, contrasting against the raw canvas. Each triangle feels like a deliberate stroke, like Goodnough was really thinking about how each one would play off the others. I love how he uses color – the blues, reds, and whites create a lively sort of rhythm across the surface. It reminds me a bit of early Frank Stella, where the composition is all about how shapes and colors interact. Goodnough invites us to see the beauty in simple forms. He shows that sometimes, breaking things down into pieces is the best way to build something new.