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1. What can you tell me about the artist?

Mark Rothko was classified as an abstract expressionist, a label which he rejected; he himself said "I am not an abstract painter. I am not interested in the relationship between form and color. The only thing I care about is the expression of man's basic emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, destiny." Rothko believed that looking at a painting should be a spiritual experience.

2. Why did you choose this particular piece by this particular artist?

When you told us to find a famous piece of artwork the first thing that came to my mind were the hundreds of famous Renaissance paintings that all seem to be the same, and I was kind of dreading the assignment. I spent a good couple of hours just looking at the works of famous artists, until finally I decided to look for something more direct. I typed in “Dada”; remembering everything I did last year; and eventually ended up at abstract expressionalism which lead me to discover Mr. Rothko. I was extremely attracted to Rothko’s “Multiform” paintings, but it was a struggle to find one that stood out amongst the hundreds. When I came across No.5 1949 (the title) I no longer saw the millions of others. I still don’t know exactly why this painting attracted me, but when I saw it I simply had to paint it.

3. What do you think the artist was trying to say?

Mark Rothko once said, when asked about his paintings "Silence is so accurate." I do not believe that Rothko was trying to say something in particular, but rather to feel and act on instinct, to let the painting take control and respond. And when it comes time for the viewers to see, let them feel for themselves and decide what it means.

4. How did they use the principles and elements of art to say it?

"The fact that people break down and cry when confronted with my pictures shows that I can communicate those basic human emotions.. the...