Blues, Reds 1969

Editor: This is "Blues, Reds" by John Hoyland. The solid blocks of colour are arresting, almost confrontational. What do you make of the relationship between the forms? Curator: The composition relies heavily on the interplay between geometric shapes and the tension created by the chromatic contrast. Note how the artist exploits the push and pull of colour to structure space. Editor: So, the colours themselves become structural elements? Curator: Precisely. Hoyland uses the inherent visual weight of each colour to define the spatial relationships within the picture plane. The raw canvas peeking through adds another textural dimension. Editor: I never thought of colour having "weight" before. It's fascinating how the artist manipulates such basic elements.