Teal Mandala 1969

Clarence Holbrook Carter made this 'Teal Mandala' and right away I'm thinking about the layering of color, this build up of the image as a process, that feels almost meditative. The surface has a smoothness and a flatness to it, but within that, there's a real depth that comes from the varying transparency of the teal. It’s not just about the colour itself, but the way it interacts with the paper. See how the shapes at the top edge of the black bar are not quite perfect? This makes me think of the hand and the decisions that are made in the studio, slowly, and with the confidence that comes through working something out. This piece reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, in the sense of its simplicity and clarity. Both artists share a concern with inner space. You know, art's like a big conversation, everyone's chipping in. It’s all about feeling and looking. What you get from this might be different from what I get, and that's just as it should be.