Stars 1967

Robert Indiana made this painting, called Stars, with flat, bold colors and shapes, like he's screen-printing right onto the canvas. The red stars against that electric blue, it's a visual punch. Indiana isn't trying to trick us with depth or realism. It's about the impact of pure color and form. Look at how the red of the stars buzzes against the blue, creating a tension that’s almost palpable. It's the kind of image that sears itself into your brain. The surface looks smooth, almost mechanical. The color choices remind me a little bit of early Warhol, but Indiana's got his own thing going on, using text and simple shapes to create something iconic. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be complicated to be powerful.