Untitled 1971

Here is an untitled artwork by Robert Irwin, a master of light and space. The way that Irwin deploys light has always struck me. It's not about a flat plane of colour or a specific mark. Rather, he plays with the architecture, coaxing the light to dance and shift. This creates a really soft, all-encompassing atmosphere. Look how the stark white of the wall subtly changes as the light moves across the surface. There's no heavy brushstroke, no sign of the artist's hand. It's as if the light itself is painting the space. Seeing it in person, it’s hard to work out where the art begins and ends. Irwin reminds me a little of James Turrell, who also used light as a medium. Both artists ask us to slow down, to really see, and to question our assumptions about what art can be. It’s about the ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.