Robert Ryman (b. 1930, USA – d. 2019, USA)
Untitled, 1965

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that Ryman approached painting from the “wrong” perspective. It does not appear to me as expression of his individuality or as outcome of concern with matters of particular social relevance or refining of some particular skill. His work seems to me to have painting itself as its subject matter, exploration of gestures, materiality and light rather than aim to achieve or depict something in particular.

But I could certainly be only projecting myself onto his work. I guess, art to large extent is my subject matter for the time being. I am not trying to make a point, I am not aiming to create a masterpiece, I am just trying to explore it, to see it in various lights, from different angles…

Ryman is reported to have made quite a few of his paintings directly on the gallery walls and then getting destroyed after the exhibition. It suggests stronger concern with painting as activity rather than as its product. And I am also more interesting in my arting than my artworks, I think… Which does not necessarily mean that any residue of the process in worthless, either…