The Passion Flower - Victor Pasmore

A striking abstract screenprint by British artist Victor Pasmore, featuring a balanced arrangement of fluid blue forms, bold black shapes, and a singular green accent.

Victor Pasmore was a central figure in the development of British abstract art. Initially a painter of representational subjects, he underwent a radical shift towards abstraction in the late 1940s. This transition moved his practice away from traditional depiction, favouring instead the exploration of pure form, space, and the relationship between geometric and organic elements.

In this work, Pasmore employs a restricted palette of blue, black, and a singular lime green circle. The composition relies on the tension between these shapes. Broad, fluid washes of blue suggest a sense of atmosphere or movement, while the solid black forms provide a grounding weight. The inclusion of the green circle and the thin, vertical black line introduces a deliberate contrast, disrupting the softer, more organic areas of the print.

Pasmore often utilised printmaking as a means to refine his visual language. By stripping away unnecessary detail, he focused on the fundamental properties of the medium. The screenprint process allows for flat, saturated areas of colour, which align with his interest in clarity and structural balance. This piece reflects his mid-career focus on the interaction of positive and negative space. It demonstrates his ability to create a sense of depth and rhythm without relying on perspective or narrative. The work is an example of his move towards a more lyrical form of abstraction, where the arrangement of shapes functions as a visual equivalent to musical composition. It invites the viewer to engage with the balance of the elements rather than searching for a representational subject.