Untitled 1961

Michael Goldberg made this untitled print using screenprint on paper. It looks like he put down blocks of bold colour first, maybe blue and red, and then smeared great big gestures over the top, it's all about process! I love the way the different colours interact with each other. The surface has real physicality and depth to it. Look at the ochre yellow on the bottom left; see how those drips are allowed to just hang there? It’s like the whole thing is still wet. And the charcoal gray slashes feel so decisive, like he really meant them. This piece has the energy of the New York School, but reminds me a little bit of Joan Mitchell, you know? Goldberg, like Mitchell, understood that painting is a conversation. It’s about throwing ideas around, letting things happen, and embracing the messiness of it all.