Practice Question: Subject Matter (2)

1. Describe the subject matter of the painting Blue Chromatic Waves 1980 by Anthony Poon

Best Answer 1:

The general subject matter of Blue Chromatic Waves by Anthony Poon is water.  The rectangular artwork is created of a series of rectangles (6 x 6) in a grid format.  The two outer columns are pure rectangles, while the four rows in the middle are halved, each rectangle by a curved line, contrasting with the one below and above it. This creates a pattern that suggests the undulations of the waves.  The middle four columns of rectangles with their disjointed curved lines could also represent a river, flowing down the canvas. The outer band of rectangles is delineated by a slight border of lighter blue and there are three broad horizontal stripes made up of 2 rows of rectangles in varying shades of blue.   The painting is monochromatic, composed only of tints and shades of blue.  At first it looks to be rather 2D, but upon closer inspection, the tints of blue are not one flat colour but gradually fade and darken, further adding itself to the varying rolls of the waves and the reflections from the sky.  There is a rhythm to the pattern of repeated curved lines and straight lines, tints and shades of blue that lulls one to sleep or at least to place of peaceful surrender, one that reminds one of the rolling waves on the ocean or the sultry sounds of a saxophone playing jazz on a restless night.

Best Answer 2:

The subject matter of Anthony Poon`s Blue Chromatic Waves is water.  It is a monochromatic painting with tints and shades which create a moving effect.  This is rhythm in the painting for every curved line is divided by a straight line.  The artist’s manipulation of colours makes the art piece look like there are two waves in conflict with each other.  The curved lines are not joined together, creating a break and an uneven flow.  The artist might have been expressing his heart in conflict.  The different shades of blue represent his different feelings of sorrow (dark blue) and calmness (light blue).  The gradient of the waves could show that his feeling were sometimes gradual but at other times abrupt.  There is an unusual balance in this painting that although the different shades seem sporadic, the artist was able to balance the contrast of the image to create unity as a whole composition.