Colour Splat Slide Black, 2017

Ian Davenport’s Colour Splat Slide Black (2017) reflects the artist’s celebrated fascination with the physical properties of paint and the transformative power of color. Executed as a silkscreen print on 250gsm Velin Arches black paper, the work measures 33 ½ × 22 1/5 inches (85 × 56.5 cm.) and comes from a signed and numbered edition of only 25. In this print, Davenport adapts his signature process-driven approach to the graphic medium, creating a vibrant cascade of color that appears to slide, splatter, and pool across the dark surface. The bold contrast between the luminous hues and the deep black paper amplifies the sense of motion, giving the composition an almost kinetic energy.

As with his poured paintings and large-scale installations, Colour Splat Slide Black underscores Davenport’s ability to balance precision with spontaneity. The silkscreen technique captures the fluidity and unpredictability of liquid paint, yet its execution on paper highlights the careful control and deliberation behind his work. The “slide” effect evokes both gravity and chance, while the “splat” introduces a playful disruption to the otherwise rhythmic flow of color. This interplay between order and accident is central to Davenport’s practice, and here it is distilled into a striking print that feels both experimental and highly refined. The rarity of the edition further enhances the desirability of the work, marking it as a vivid example of Davenport’s ongoing exploration of color and process.