Philip Guston's exploration into pure abstraction, particularly in the mid-1960s, represents a significant phase in his career. During this period, Guston's work was marked by a move away from the more recognizable motifs of his earlier Abstract Expressionist works toward a deeper, more introspective form of abstraction. This shift can be seen in works like "Last Piece" (1958), which, despite its title, was not Guston's final work in Abstract Expressionism but rather indicated a transition towards the motifs that would characterize his later, more figurative works. This piece and others from the era suggest a departure from earlier inspirations such as Buddhism and concepts of nothingness, indicating a complex internal dialogue within Guston's practice about the nature of abstraction and its potentials (The Art Story).
By the late 1960s, however, Guston's discomfort with the confines of pure abstraction led him to reintegrate figurative elements into his work, marking a significant departure from the Abstract Expressionist movement. This shift is epitomized in paintings like "The Studio" (1969), where Guston depicts himself in a hood, laboring at his easel, a move that signals his return to figuration and thematic engagement with social and political turmoil. Such works are reflective of Guston's broader concerns with political disorder and upheaval, capturing a moment of transition not only in his own practice but also in the broader cultural and political landscape of America (The Art Story).
Despite these shifts, Guston's legacy in the realm of Abstract Expressionism remains significant. His contributions during the 1950s and 1960s helped to define the movement's aesthetic and philosophical contours, even as his later work challenged and expanded its boundaries. Guston's pure abstract works from this period, characterized by their emotional depth and formal experimentation, continue to be celebrated for their profound engagement with the medium of painting and their exploration of abstraction's expressive possibilities (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Guston's work, spanning from lyrical abstraction to scenes of historic brutality as illustrated in works like "Red Cloth" (1976), showcases his ability to navigate and question the potentials of painting across different modes of representation. This continuous evolution in his artistic language underscores Guston's restless creativity and his enduring impact on American art (Brooklyn Museum).