Red Sphere - José Tanig Joya

A 1967 abstract ink drawing by José Tanig Joya, featuring a circular composition constructed through dense, rhythmic cross-hatching in red and blue.

Red Sphere is a work on paper by the Filipino artist José Tanig Joya, dated 25 December 1967. The composition consists of a circular form filled with dense, overlapping cross-hatching. Joya employs a restricted palette of red and blue ink, using the layering of these lines to create varying degrees of density and tone. The resulting effect is a sense of volume and depth within the sphere, despite the two-dimensional nature of the medium.

Joya was a central figure in the development of modern art in the Philippines. His practice often involved a spontaneous approach to mark-making, which is evident in the energetic, rhythmic quality of the lines seen here. The work demonstrates his interest in the interaction of colour and form, where the ink lines do not merely outline shapes but construct the form itself through accumulation. The circular boundary acts as a container for this kinetic energy, forcing the viewer to focus on the internal shifts of light and shadow created by the varying pressure and frequency of the pen strokes.

This piece reflects the artist's ability to balance controlled geometric structure with the gestural freedom associated with his broader abstract practice. The choice of a sphere as the primary subject allows for a study in curvature and internal space, providing a clear example of how Joya utilised simple tools to achieve complex visual results. The work remains a clear representation of his mid-career output, where he moved between large-scale canvases and more intimate works on paper with equal technical precision.