Description
#1, 1949
Acrylic on canvas
Signed
11 x 14 in. (image)
18.75 x 21.5 x 2.0 in. (frame)
original, includes certificate of authenticity
The painting “#1” presents a minimalistic composition where flowing black lines curve gracefully across a luminous yellow background, suggesting the forms of birds in flight. The simplicity of these forms embodies the Zen concept of “mu,” or emptiness, where the absence of intricate details invites a deeper contemplation of what is essential. The birds appear to glide effortlessly, signifying a state of natural ease that aligns with the principle of “wu wei,” or non-action, from Taoist philosophy, a notion also echoed in the I Ching’s imagery of gentle progress, as found in the hexagram for “Wind over Earth.”
The sharp, angular blue line that emerges from the background introduces a deliberate contrast. Its rigidity interrupts the soft, flowing motion of the birds, drawing attention to the balance of opposing forces—stillness and movement, structure and freedom. In Zen, such contrasts serve as a reminder of duality in life and the paradoxes we must reconcile. The painting invites the viewer to consider the balance between directed effort and the spontaneous unfolding of events, akin to the lines of the I Ching hexagrams that alternate between solid and broken, forming a dynamic tapestry of life’s ever-changing nature.
Through these elements, the painting becomes a meditative space, encouraging the viewer to let go of rigid interpretations and experience the subtle interplay between form and formlessness. This openness to perception reflects a Zen approach to enlightenment, where understanding emerges not from analysis, but from a direct, unmediated encounter with the world.
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“#1” was featured in his Yes Retrospective and in volume I of the series Bob Camblin N Compleat Workes.
Reproductions of this drawing are available in multiple sizes!
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This artwork is available with a non-fungible token to ensure traceability and transparency of provenance.
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