Small Yellow: January 1973 - Patrick Heron

A screenprint by Patrick Heron from 1973, featuring interlocking organic shapes in warm yellow and orange tones.

Small Yellow: January 1973 is a screenprint by the British artist Patrick Heron. During the 1970s, Heron focused on the interaction of colour and the spatial qualities of flat, organic shapes. This work demonstrates his interest in how chromatic relationships create a sense of depth without relying on traditional perspective. The composition consists of interlocking, amoebic forms that fill the frame, pushing against the edges of the paper.

Heron often used a limited palette to explore the tension between adjacent hues. In this print, the interplay between warm yellows and oranges creates a luminous effect. The shapes appear to float or shift, a characteristic of his work from this period. By removing representational elements, Heron directed the viewer to the physical properties of the ink and the optical impact of the colour fields. The edges of the forms are soft yet distinct, suggesting a fluid movement across the surface.

This piece reflects Heron's long-standing engagement with the St Ives school and his dialogue with American abstract painters. He rejected the idea that painting must represent the physical world, arguing instead that the act of seeing is an active process. The print invites the viewer to observe the balance between the positive and negative spaces. It is a clear example of his method of using colour as the primary structural element. The screenprinting process allows for the flat, even application of pigment, which suits his interest in non-hierarchical compositions. By stripping away narrative, Heron allows the viewer to engage directly with the visual experience of light and form.