Duo 1962

This is Robert Mallary’s print, "Duo," composed of two distinct rectangular shapes in contrasting dark hues that immediately capture your attention. The top form is a textured black, bearing the marks of its making, while the lower is a smooth, deep brown. This stark contrast in color and texture sets up a visual tension, inviting closer inspection. The interplay between these shapes is crucial. The black rectangle seems to hover, its rough edges and uneven application of ink giving it a sense of depth. Notice how a white "drip" emerges from the black, penetrating the brown form below. This disruption of the pure geometric forms introduces an element of unpredictability. Mallary teases with the stability of geometric form and the fluidity of the gesture. In "Duo", Mallary isn't just arranging shapes; he's prompting a dialogue between order and chaos, between the planned and the accidental. It's the way these elements play off each other that creates the artwork’s enduring appeal.