Geäst (Branches) 1955

Gerhard Hoehme made "Branches" - or Geäst - sometime in the mid-twentieth century, and the title really says it all. I love how he fearlessly lets the paint drip and wander, these reds and grays acting like they have a mind of their own. The way he layers these colors, it's like watching a storm brewing in a forest. Look at that patch of gold peeking out from behind the black - a total surprise, like a hidden sun. Hoehme's not trying to hide the process; he's flaunting it. You can almost feel the energy of his hand, the quick decisions, the happy accidents. It reminds me of some of the work of Emil Nolde, where emotion explodes onto the canvas with a similar kind of raw intensity. Art isn't about perfection, it's about embracing the messy, unpredictable dance between artist and materials.