Untitled 1967

Ray Parker made this ‘Untitled’ painting using acrylic on canvas. He built up flat shapes of color, letting them interact with the pale blue background. Parker's application of paint is crucial here. The canvas isn’t heavily worked; rather, he seems to want a directness to the way the color is applied. It almost looks like dyed fabric, or even colored paper pasted to the canvas, calling attention to the materiality of the painting itself. This reflects Parker’s commitment to pure painting – a focus on the basic elements of color and form. He also seems to relish the scale of his work. The physical act of making these expansive paintings was part of the point, a full-body engagement with the medium. This piece isn’t about labor in the traditional sense; it’s about a different kind of work, a celebration of artistic practice. By embracing the physical nature of painting, Parker challenges conventional notions of artistic labor and skill.