One Life - 5.11.07 2007

John Hoyland created ‘One Life - 5.11.07’ using acrylic on canvas, embracing the inherent qualities of the medium. The canvas, a mass-produced fabric, becomes a ground for exploration. Hoyland’s application of paint is both deliberate and spontaneous. Notice how the thick impasto creates texture, and how the drips and splatters are captured, seemingly by chance. This kind of mark-making is, of course, very deliberate. It's an active engagement with the history of abstract expressionism, but also carries a heavy dose of 20th-century industrial production; the thick stuff, the bright, artificial colours, all of it coming to us courtesy of petro-chemical factories. The artist's hand is evident in the gestures and textures. The process becomes part of the artwork's narrative, blurring the lines between intention and accident. These kind of bold paintings also have an important social context. They were often created in large studios, with assistants, and then shipped, bought and sold as commodities in the art market. Ultimately, 'One Life' invites us to consider the artistic process itself. It’s a celebration of materials, making, and the cultural forces that shape both artist and artwork.