Panatella 1961

Curator: Richard Smith's expansive painting, "Panatella," which we see here, is comprised of bold strokes of color creating a soft but graphic composition. Editor: It’s quite striking. The hazy colors and repeating shapes create a mood that is both energetic and calming. There is tension in the colors, but also a gentle overall effect. Curator: Smith’s work often references commercial packaging and advertising. The cigar-box title, "Panatella," hints at a world of consumerism, subtly critiquing its allure. Editor: I see it, these stripes—the reds, greens, yellows—do seem lifted from some kind of advertisement. I wonder if it's commenting on the seductive nature of branding. Curator: Perhaps. Smith's interest lay in transforming these elements into abstract art, playing with depth and surface. Editor: It certainly invites a deeper look at the visual language that surrounds us. This piece pushes viewers to reconsider the cultural context of everyday commercial imagery. Curator: Indeed. Smith's piece has a lasting ability to reframe the mundane. Editor: A very thoughtful consideration of our relationship with consumerism.