Thomas Downing: Spot On

This exhibition catalogue examines Thomas Downing’s unique contribution to Color Field painting in 1960s Washington, DC. While his dot paintings appear at first glance to follow strict mathematical patterns, they in fact create complex visual fields that collapse the distinction between calculated design and expressive painting. Through analysis of eighteen key works, the publication reveals how Downing achieved emotional resonance through subtle variations in his technique, particularly in his masterful handling of paint. The essays posit Downing as a crucial figure in postwar American abstraction and ongoing conversations about how artists might continue to balance structure with intuition.

Published by Yares Art, New York, 2018

Essays by David Anfam, Raphael Rubinstein, and Mollie R. Berger

Designed by Tim Laun and Natalie Wedeking

Softcover, fully illustrated, 52 pages

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