Donald Sultan's Six Poppies is a notable print series that exemplifies his distinctive approach to art, blending elements of abstraction and realism in a way that is both visually striking and conceptually rich. Sultan, known for his use of industrial materials and large-scale compositions, often focuses on still life and botanical subjects, reinterpreting them with a modernist sensibility.

In Six Poppies, Sultan revisits the theme of the poppy flower, a recurring subject in his work. The series features six distinct prints, each showcasing the poppy in various states of bloom and decay. Sultan's treatment of the poppies is both delicate and robust, capturing the fragility of the flowers while also emphasizing their bold, almost graphic presence.

The prints are characterized by their use of stark contrasts, typically employing a limited color palette dominated by black, white, and red. This minimalist approach highlights the form and structure of the poppies, drawing attention to their shape and texture. The dark, sometimes black backgrounds create a dramatic contrast with the bright, vibrant red of the poppies, making the flowers appear to almost float on the surface.

Sultan's technique in these prints often involves layering and subtractive methods, where he builds up surfaces with materials like tar, enamel, and flocking, and then carves into them to reveal the forms of the flowers. This process creates a tactile quality to the prints, with the flowers appearing to emerge from the surface, giving them a sculptural presence. The result is a series that blurs the lines between painting, printmaking, and sculpture.

Six Poppies also reflects Sultan's ongoing exploration of themes such as beauty, impermanence, and the passage of time. The poppy, a symbol with various connotations ranging from remembrance to the ephemeral nature of life, serves as an ideal subject for Sultan's meditative and introspective style. Through the series, he invites viewers to contemplate the transient nature of existence, captured in the fleeting life cycle of a flower.

Overall, Donald Sultan's Six Poppies series is a powerful example of how he transforms simple, everyday subjects into profound works of art. By stripping the poppy down to its essential forms and playing with contrasts in color and texture, Sultan creates prints that are both visually compelling and rich with symbolic meaning.