Riallaro (Black and White) 1995

Frank Stella made this print, Riallaro (Black and White), using lithography and screenprint, layering and contrasting textures and patterns. It’s like he's building a world, one mark at a time. The use of black and white creates a graphic punch, but look closer, and you'll see a whole range of grays achieved through intricate line work and layering. Those fields of dots and grids give a sense of depth and movement, like the whole thing is vibrating. See how certain areas are densely packed with lines, while others are more open, allowing the white of the paper to breathe? It’s kind of like a visual push and pull. There’s one shape to the left that is solid and sculptural, acting as an anchor. This print reminds me a bit of the work of Sol LeWitt, especially his wall drawings. Both artists share an interest in geometry, repetition, and the relationship between the line and the plane. Both show us that art is an ongoing conversation.