“Folded Paper Clip I” is an abstract artwork created by Richard Smith in 1975. Belonging to the Post-Minimalism art movement, the artwork demonstrates distinctive characteristics of this genre, emphasizing simplification and abstraction with a focus on form and color.
The artwork features a geometric composition with a large red-brown quadrilateral on the left juxtaposed against a thick green rectangular segment on the right. Both segments exhibit a textured appearance, suggestive of pencil shading or cross-hatching. These prominent shapes are set against a predominantly white background, creating a stark contrast. The white background is divided into three vertical strips, likely representing folded paper, which is further accentuated by paper clips placed strategically at the top and bottom of the artwork, reinforcing the concept of folded paper. The meticulous alignment of colors and forms coupled with the minimalistic use of materials epitomizes the Post-Minimalism aesthetic.
