Bridget Riley's Elongated Triangles series demonstrates her deep exploration of optical effects through geometric abstraction, using triangles that stretch across the canvas in precise formations. This series emphasizes Riley's meticulous approach to line, form, and color to evoke movement and tension within a flat surface. The elongated triangles, often arranged in rhythmic patterns, draw the eye along their edges and across the canvas, creating an illusion of pulsing, shifting motion. Riley’s choice of vibrant or subtly shifting colors within each triangular segment amplifies the perception of depth, tricking the viewer's eye into seeing dynamic waves or undulating planes.
In this series, Riley plays with color contrasts and gradients, layering hues in carefully calculated combinations that shift in intensity and tone. Each triangle's shape contributes to the sense of instability and balance, allowing the forms to vibrate and resonate against each other. This approach taps into Riley's longstanding interest in perceptual phenomena, as the colors appear to advance or recede depending on their placement and relationship to adjacent shapes. The result is a mesmerizing visual experience, where the triangles seem to push and pull within the frame, challenging the viewer's depth perception and understanding of spatial relationships.
Riley’s Elongated Triangles series is a testament to her skill in using simple shapes to achieve complex optical effects. Her compositions create a dialogue between the viewer and the artwork, inviting observers to engage with the changing sensations produced by the colors and patterns. This series reflects Riley’s lifelong commitment to exploring visual interaction and optical ambiguity, positioning her as a pivotal figure in Op Art. Each piece within the series becomes a study of balance, where color and form converge to evoke movement and depth from static shapes, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the infinite possibilities of visual perception.