Calvin Lai’s Chroma 37 (Bright Red), created in oil on cradled board, is a bold and visceral study of the figure in motion. The body, turned away and painted in earthy tones, is engulfed by an intense field of red, a colour both passionate and commanding.
The palette is raw and expressive—sanguine reds dominate, with flashes of flesh tones carving out the contours of the figure. The vigorous brushstrokes, layered and spontaneous, give the work a sense of immediacy, as though the viewer is witnessing the act of painting itself. The unfinished edges of the canvas enhance this effect, leaving space for energy and suggestion.
As an abstracted figurative piece, the painting captures more than form; it conveys emotion through colour and movement. The red ground envelops the figure in intensity, suggesting both vulnerability and strength, intimacy and distance—a duality that lies at the heart of Lai’s practice.
| Dimensions | 30 × 30 × 3 cm |
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