Bridget Riley, Deny 1, 1966. JPMorgan Chase Art Collection

24. Deny 1

ArtistBridget Riley
Year1966
MediumSynthetic emulsion on canvas
Dimensions8512 × 8512 in. (217 × 217 cm)
CollectionJPMorgan Chase Art Collection

In a further move away from the absolute opposition of black and white, Deny 1 introduces warm and cool tonal contrasts to create the sensation of motion. A gridded sequence of identical ovals sets warm red-hued grays against a cool blue-gray background, generating a sense of progressive movement, as the shapes appear to turn on their axes. Although the ground is a uniform color, it seems to shift from light to dark to form a distinctive V-shape.