Abstract Mask 1979

David Chethlahe Paladin made this Abstract Mask, and it’s buzzing with color and shape. It's really interesting to see how he builds up these almost mosaic-like surfaces. You can tell it's a process - it's about layering, one thing on top of another. Look at the way he uses these vibrant, almost granular colors. Up close, you can see this cool, speckled texture. It's not trying to hide its making. It's there, right on the surface, this beautiful grit. And then you see those figures down in the lower centre, almost like they’re having a party. It gives this sense of warmth amidst the abstract shapes. Paladin's work reminds me a little bit of the early stuff that Kandinsky was doing - breaking down form to try to find the spiritual. It's this idea that art is a conversation, an ongoing back and forth across time, and it shows us that art is always open for new interpretations, every single time.