Phenomena Approach
By Paul Jenkins
Look closely and you can almost see this painting breathe. Created by American artist Paul Jenkins, "Phenomena Approach" belongs to his long-running series of works simply titled "Phenomena." Jenkins poured thin, watery paint directly onto the canvas, then tilted and guided it with an ivory knife to let the colors flow on their own. The result is this glowing column of yellow, red, and blue that seems to rise out of soft, pale space like steam or flame.
Jenkins worked during the mid-twentieth century and was loosely connected to the Abstract Expressionists, though his approach was gentler and more about letting paint move freely. He was fascinated by light, color, and the idea of capturing something fleeting, the way a moment of weather or feeling passes through us. That is why so many of his works carry the word "phenomena," a nod to natural events you can witness but never quite hold.
What makes this piece enjoyable is how open it is. Some people see a figure wrapped in a cloak, others a burst of fire or a watery reflection. There is no single right answer, and that seems to be exactly how Jenkins wanted it.