Spontaneous And Energetic Gesture, Structure – John Harrison Levée

John Harrison Levee (1924-2017)

Watercolor and collage on paper

Signed and dated lower left

Dimensions 27.5 X 20.5 cm cm - framed 42 X 32 cm

A Closer Look at the Work ®

This piece is structured around a striking contrast between painterly gestures and more structured collage elements. Red, applied in broad strokes, fills the space with intensity; its irregular, splattered, and scratched edges bear witness to a spontaneous, energetic gesture. Bleeding ink heightens this sense of vibration and reinforces the color’s presence.

At the center, two strips of black collage introduce a more rigid structure, contrasting sharply with the fluidity of the red. Their crisp definition creates a visual anchor within the composition.

White space weaving between the forms allows the work to breathe and balances the whole. While the composition is frontal and centered, it remains dynamic thanks to the traces and spills that extend the movement toward the edges.

The work maintains an open dynamic, allowing the eye to roam while sustaining the tension between free gesture and structure.