Claim 173, 2026

Mark Hellbusch  

In Claim 173, Mark Hellbusch condenses a remarkable intensity of color and movement into a more intimate format of 60 × 80 cm. Despite its moderate scale, the painting radiates a powerful visual energy, drawing the viewer into a dense and vibrant abstract field.

The upper section is dominated by warm reds and oranges that create an atmosphere of heat and expansion. These tones gradually interact with cooler blues and greens that emerge within the lower half, introducing depth and balance to the composition. Rather than forming defined shapes, the colors intersect, overlap, and dissolve into one another, generating a richly layered surface that feels both spontaneous and orchestrated.

Hellbusch employs a process-driven approach in which paint is splashed, poured, and allowed to flow freely across the canvas. Gravity and gesture play essential roles, yet the overall structure retains cohesion. The result is a dynamic interplay between control and chance, where countless small movements accumulate into a pulsating whole.

From a distance, Claim 173 reads as a unified and energetic color field. As one moves closer, intricate details emerge — fine splatters, delicate lines, and subtle transitions that reveal the physical presence of the painting process. The surface invites prolonged viewing, offering new discoveries with each encounter.

Through this work, Mark Hellbusch continues his exploration of abstraction as a living, breathing space. Claim 173 demonstrates how color, when treated as an active and expressive force, can transform a canvas into a vivid environment of rhythm, tension, and visual resonance.