Untitled 1971

Moshe Kupferman created this painting with oil on canvas, layering color and form in a way that feels both intentional and spontaneous. Notice how the grid dominates the composition, a series of measured marks almost obscuring the expressive brushstrokes beneath. This interplay between order and chaos is key to understanding Kupferman's work. The grid itself, so reminiscent of graph paper or architectural blueprints, speaks to a desire for control, for imposing structure onto the world. Yet, the loose, gestural marks that break through this grid suggest the impossibility of such control. Consider, too, the labor involved, the careful application of each stroke, the building up of layers, and the constant negotiation between intention and accident. In the end, Kupferman reminds us that art-making is a process of constant negotiation, of finding beauty in the tension between control and chance. By bringing attention to materiality, process, and the social context, we can fully appreciate the artwork's meaning, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.