Page 45 - Studio International - August 1966
P. 45

Red 4 1966               the major colour is applied with a brush, however regu-  would be pleased if his work had the same effect, because
        4 ft x 4 ft              larly, and the slight variations in thickness and texture  it is not there to inquire into but to be accepted and must
         P.V.A. and Acrylic compound
         emulsion on canvas      contribute to the expression of that colour's qualities. In  be allowed to act in as immediate and unconscious a way
                                 some pictures underpainting is allowed to show through  as possible.
                                 —with the same effect—and the bands and lines at the   What Plumb's paintings have is an authority, a 'right-
                                 edges can be seen, on close inspection, to bleed into one  ness' which continually amazes because it has been
                                 another, or to overlap or change size in a variety of ways.  brought off with an absolute minimum of means. Res-
                                 There is nothing in them which is exact or precise in  tricting himself so severely, Plumb is always on the thin
                                 the scientific sense. Each slight modification results from  dividing line between conspicuous success and even more
                                 the demands of a brief moment and bears witness to the  obvious failure. Because the means are so limited,
                                 continual process of revision so important to his method.  because the final effect can so easily be everything or
                                  The seductive power of Plumb's paintings, their 'magic',  nothing, the phrase Alloway used to describe Barnett
                                 defies all verbal analysis, as indeed it should. People with  Newman, his 'heroic concentration', can be applied with
                                 an objective cast of mind are always troubled by such  equal truth to Plumb. Although the relationship between
                                 work, and it has been said that it is children who are  the picture and the spectator must be an intimate one,
                                 particularly delighted by the paintings of Barnett New-  the picture remains ultimately aloof and grand. It keeps
                                 man, a painter whom Plumb greatly admires. Plumb   its secrets because it cannot work if it is understood.  q
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