F-S-6-59 1959

Conrad Marca-Relli built F-S-6-59 from canvas and paint sometime around 1959. The collage elements give it a real material presence, like torn posters on a construction site. I can imagine Marca-Relli in his studio, pushing these shapes around, trying different combinations. There's a playful quality to the composition, with these almost figurative silhouettes. That dark figure sprawled across the center feels so dynamic. It reminds me of Matisse's cut-outs, but grittier, more urban. The ochre and blue add a layer of depth to the space, creating a sort of dialogue between foreground and background. You can feel the physicality of the canvas, the texture of the paint. It’s about as far from slick as you can get. It’s exciting to think about how artists like Marca-Relli were in conversation with each other, bouncing ideas around, challenging conventions. Painting isn't just about representation; it's about the experience, the process, the ongoing evolution of form and meaning.