Aubergine III (Green) 2003

This is a collage called Aubergine III (Green) by Beatriz Milhazes, who was born in 1960. It's made out of what looks like recycled candy boxes. I love the way she's taken these everyday materials and transformed them into something so vibrant and joyful. Look at the layering of the circles, it's almost like a floral mandala blooming right before our eyes. The textures are fascinating, you’ve got the slickness of the printed surfaces and the rough edges where the artist has cut and pasted. The central flower has an almost hypnotic effect. There’s something about the way she uses color that just sings! The greens and golds play off against the blues and purples. I'm reminded of Matisse's cut-outs, that same sense of playfulness and experimentation, a conversation across time. The fixed meaning is thrown out the window, isn't it?