Untitled 1967

Robert Grosvenor made this "Untitled" sculpture with steel and wood. The first thing that grabs me is the stark contrast, the black against the white. It feels assertive, almost aggressive, like a dark secret hanging in plain sight. It's not trying to blend in or be pretty. It is what it is: raw material, form, and shadow. Look at the surface; can you see the grain of the wood coming through? That texture suggests the artist wasn’t interested in hiding the history of the materials, instead, he allowed the process to show. It reminds me of the work of Blinky Palermo, especially his wall paintings. Both artists are pushing the boundaries of what a painting or sculpture can be, playing with space, form, and our perceptions. There are no easy answers here, only more questions, but that's what keeps art alive, right?