Untitled (SFP94-121, SFF.1791) 1994

Sam Francis created this untitled work with acrylic and mixed media on paper, at the end of his life. Francis was associated with the second generation of Abstract Expressionism, a movement emerging in post-war America. You might notice the vibrant blues and blacks, separated by stark white space. Francis used color to convey emotion and explore the depths of human experience. During his career, he lived all over the world, and was influenced by the places he lived, and the people he met. He said that he hoped his paintings would evoke a sense of openness, a feeling of being "everywhere, nowhere, and home". Reflecting on Francis's own battles with illness and his fascination with Eastern philosophy, this painting can be seen as a meditation on life, death, and the interconnectedness of all things. Its swirling forms and luminous hues invite us to contemplate our own place in the universe and the transient nature of existence.