Fragment 2 1965

Bridget Riley made this black and white artwork called Fragment 2 and I can only imagine how intense the process was. The piece looks like an experiment with shapes, each carefully placed to create an illusion of movement and depth. Riley's mastery lies in taking something as simple as black and white stripes and turning it into a mesmerizing visual experience. The shapes seem to pulse and vibrate, drawing you in. I'm imagining Riley in her studio, meticulously planning each curve and line, adjusting until the composition creates just the right effect. The repetition of the lines reminds me of musical scales; each shape a note, together creating harmony through dissonance. It reminds me of the work of other Op artists like Victor Vasarely, but there is a uniquely organic, flowing quality to Riley's work. The piece seems to invite a feeling of awe, and I think it shows how artists are constantly responding to and building upon each other's discoveries.