The painter best known for his endless variations on a singular theme — the square — is shown in a slightly different light, as this exhibition showcases studies of rectangular objects, partly inspired by his travels to Mexico.
Begun in 1947, while Josef Albers was still a teacher at Black Mountain College in North Carolina, these rectangular paintings initiated a new phase in his work. They are commonly referred to as the Variant and Adobe series. It is a body of work that was inspired, in part, by the art, architecture, and landscapes that Albers observed during his numerous visits to Mexico and the American Southwest.
The exhibition has three types of works: the finished paintings on masonite, the preliminary sketches which are oil on blotting paper, and a selection of photographs taken by Albers during his trips to Mexico. Together it is a fine description of his approach and methods.
The most striking about these paintings is the use of colour. With their vivid colour palettes, the paintings highlight the way in which the relationship between different colours dramatically impacts the appearance and experience of each work.
Josef Albers: Paintings Titled Variants is on show at David Zwirner, Grafton Street, London W1 until 15 April 2023.
