Ambit- 70s

"Ambit"
Acrylic on Canvas
1979- 52" x 60"
Collection University of North Dakota
Copyright © Dennis Guastella 1979

Working with dots of color, patterns of color were extruded onto canvas in a spontaneous manner while confined to the particular grid section. The canvas was laid flat so the beads of paint could rest on the surface without distortion. The marks were compacted so as to fill the space but not touch. I was striving for a relatively flat surface. Grid paintings of the day proposed the same contrast of push and pull against the rigid construction. The mechanical mark removed any reference to human touch or gesture. The at random placement, however, offered a sense of freedom. Color dots, by their coincidence of alignment would sometimes create lines.

Detail of Ambit