At the Exhibit 1970

Petros Malayan made this painting, "At the Exhibit", with what looks like watercolour in 1970. I love the feeling of a fleeting impression, like a moment caught on the run. You see it in the washes of colour, the way the figures blend into the background, and the sketchy lines that define the forms. Look how the pale blues and greys create a sense of depth, making the figures feel like they’re emerging from the shadows. Malayan is not trying to give you all the information, they want you to piece it together. And notice the contrast between the solid sculpture and the fluid brushstrokes of the women. It's like a conversation between permanence and ephemerality, the art and the viewer. Malayan reminds me a little of someone like Manet, capturing the feeling of modern life, the blurring of boundaries, and the sense that everything is always in motion. It's a reminder that art is never finished, it's always in process.