Karen Schiff on Sol LeWitt

I would like to call these “non-pyramids.” First, they cannot exist in conventional three-dimensional space. (No wonder LeWitt called this series “Complex Forms”!) Second, they are not positive shapes: what might not be visible in this picture of this picture is that they are formed by filling in the negative space all around. Each “form” actually represents the absence of most of the colors that LeWitt uses to create the dark space. This deep black is made up of layers of teal blue, deep carmine, and yellow ochre, plus a thin dark wash, all visible at the margins. My favorite interpretation of this color scheme is that LeWitt is using the four colors of a standard print job: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. This drawing is the opposite of a print job, however. The brushwork is lush, revealing that even the most orthodox conceptual artist can be a sensualist.