Helen Frankenthaler - Canvas Quotes

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It [the Mauve-district in the U.S.] relates to a theme which appears on-and-off, of pictures that often have one central vast shape, district, or territory; in this case, the shape itself [a square] is a play on the very shape of the canvas (quote in 1969).

Helen Frankenthaler

I was already working on large pieces of paper, and I wanted to try going to canvas.

Helen Frankenthaler

I frequently leave areas of raw, unprimed canvas unpainted [as in her painting 'Chairman of the Board', 1971].... That 'negative' space has just as active a role as the 'positive' painted space. The negative spaces maintain shapes of their own and are not empty.

Helen Frankenthaler

With any picture, on paper or on canvas, the main idea is: does it work? Is it beautiful? People seem to feel that canvas is more 'serious' than paper, more desirable.

Helen Frankenthaler

When I look at what I have pinned up on my studio wall — torn-out reproductions, catalogs or little flyers — the originals are all on canvas, whether it's Titian, Vuillard or Whistler.

Helen Frankenthaler