Constructions chimériques 1967

Jean-Paul Riopelle made this etching, Constructions chimériques, with ink on paper. Look at the gestural marks and the neutral, earthy palette. You can almost imagine the artist’s hand moving across the surface, a dance of trial, error, and intuition. I sympathize with Riopelle, remembering my own studio struggles! What was he thinking as he made this? The texture is crucial here, see how the ink sits—not too thick, not too thin, but just right to give it that raw, immediate feel. The scratchy lines communicate a kind of nervous energy, a feeling of constant searching. Riopelle was part of an exciting moment in art, and his work speaks to the conversations painters were having with each other—a constant exchange of ideas across time. Ultimately, this piece is about embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and allowing for multiple interpretations. It's a reminder that painting isn't about fixed meanings but about the ongoing process of seeing and thinking.