This monochromatic artwork features a striking contrast between the stark black background and the intricate pattern of silver-gray dots against a lighter gray backdrop. The composition is geometric, with the dots arranged in a manner that creates a sense of movement and depth. The technique employed appears to be a form of pointillism, where the image is built up through the precise application of small, individual dots of paint. The overall effect is one of minimalism and precision, inviting the viewer to contemplate the interplay between light, shadow, and the rhythmic repetition of shapes. The artist's intention may have been to explore the visual and conceptual possibilities of simplicity and patterning. ...
Raphaela Simon is known for her painting, marked by simple, indistinct forms set against monochromatic backgrounds. She employs a multi-stage process, diligently overpainting and altering elements to create a palimpsestic effect. This approach allows colors to shimmer through various layers, enhancing the composition’s subtleties. Often reminiscent of portraiture, her works’ titles reference ordinary objects and motifs, suggesting a hidden figurative potential and engaging the viewer's propensity to assign meaning to abstract forms. Since 2018, Simon has broadened her artistic scope to include the fabrication of intricate fabric objects and figures. Witnessed together, these sculptural entities posit their own stories, whilst simultaneously echoing the tonality of the works on canvas. Simon deftly traverses the fragile boundary between representational and pure abstraction. The layering of oil on her canvases is incredibly important, as it provides these surfaces with a solid, tangible presence. This method, combined with the unruled edges of her abundant stripes, infuses her creations with life and vibrancy, allowing them to resonate as living forms of abstraction with the viewers. ...
Hannah Hoffman, Los Angeles opened in May 2013. The gallery maintains a program of international contemporary artists alongside historical exhibitions with a particular focus on feminist and conceptual practices.
