Feather 2 2012

Gazmend Freitag made this small painting, "Feather 2," in 2012, and it's kind of like a whisper on paper. The way the colors are laid down, it feels like Freitag wasn't trying to nail anything down too hard. The blue is washy, almost like a faded memory, and the feather itself is this delicate, reddish-brown thing, like a little thought floating in space. You can see the texture of the paper coming through, which gives it a real sense of being present. Look closely, and you'll notice how the edges of the feather aren't sharply defined. It's more like the idea of a feather, dissolving into the blue. It reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin's subtle grids, that same sense of quiet contemplation. Freitag isn’t trying to shout, but rather invite you into a space of gentle looking. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to be loud to be deeply affecting.