Anna Snijder

Anna Snijder’s diptychs Colour me happy I & II are powerful manifestations of Abstract Expressionism. The works stand in the direct creative tradition of Hans Hofmann’s “Push and Pull” theory: through the precise interplay of contrasting color fields and geometric structures, Snijder creates a depth effect that results solely from the dynamics of color. Warm tones seem to push forward optically, while cooler surfaces recede, causing the image surface to vibrate in a pulsating, three-dimensional motion.

The composition is built as a tension-filled structure of layered color modules. While explosive red, bright yellow, and deep turquoise develop a high-energy, almost kinetic presence, black surfaces and vertical white accents set architectural anchor points. This structure lends the work an intellectual rigor amidst the expressive power of color.

The application of paint is haptic and emphatically physical, underlining the character of “Action Painting”. A varnish typical of Snijder’s work gives the piece a special luster that enhances the chromatic intensity and creates the appearance that the colors were still freshly applied. The title Colour me happy does not function as a mere description, but as an emotional imperative. Snijder uses the purely abstract form to transfer optimism and joy of life as an immediate energetic discharge to the viewer. In the juxtaposition of the two parts of the diptych, a powerful dialogue between form and energy emerges, charging the room with a physically tangible vitality. The result is an art that requires no narrative detours but works through its structural power in the here and now.