Untitled 

Conrad Marca-Relli’s mixed media artwork presents a composition of riveted metal fragments, punctuated by touches of yellow. The work is dominated by the use of hard materials, primarily aluminum, giving the surface a cool and industrial feel. The metal fragments, arranged in a collage-like manner, create a structured yet fractured picture. Marca-Relli uses the texture of the metal, the stark lines of the seams, and the repetitive pattern of rivets to generate a visual rhythm. The yellow peeking through the seams is particularly striking, adding a touch of warmth and complexity to the overall structure. It acts as a signifier, disrupting the coldness of the aluminum. Marca-Relli’s choice of materials reflects broader trends of the postwar period, where artists experimented with non-traditional media. The structured arrangement of these metal fragments, held together by rivets, challenges the conventional understanding of painting. It prompts us to consider how the artwork destabilizes established categories of art.