Panta Rei 1992

Eugene Brands made this painting, called Panta Rei, with expressive brushstrokes, mostly in shades of orange, red, and yellow. I can just imagine him in the studio with the painting propped up on an easel, moving around it, adding layer upon layer until it came together. It’s like he’s wrestling with the paint, coaxing it into something that feels just right, not labored or overworked. See that dark red splotch on the bottom left? It almost looks like blood, doesn’t it? Then there’s that bright cloud of white and yellow in the middle, like a burst of light. I imagine Brands must have known the work of the Abstract Expressionists, or maybe Joan Mitchell. Artists are always in conversation with one another, borrowing ideas, responding, and pushing back. Painting is all about taking risks, embracing ambiguity, and allowing for multiple readings.