Inspired by Hans Hofmann's Untitled (1942), our palette explores the artist's celebrated use of colour, contrast and composition. Five carefully selected colours, available in New Zealand wool and 8-ply acrylic.

HANS HOFMANN

1880–1966 · German-American · Abstract Expressionism

Hans Hofmann was a painter, teacher and passionate colour enthusiast who helped shape the development of Abstract Expressionism. Born in Germany, he spent his early artistic career absorbing the revolutionary ideas of European modernism before moving to America, where he became one of the most influential art teachers of the 20th century. His students included several artists who would go on to become major figures in American modern art.

Hofmann believed that colour could create movement and depth without relying on traditional perspective. His celebrated theory of push and pull explored how contrasting colours and shapes interact, making some elements appear to advance while others retreat. His paintings brought these ideas to life through energetic compositions and extraordinary colour combinations.

He spent much of his career teaching other artists how to see colour differently, before finally retiring from teaching to concentrate on painting full-time at the age of 78. Proof that it's never too late to give up the day job and pursue your creative ambitions.

UNTITLED (1942)

By 1942, Hans Hofmann had already spent decades exploring the relationship between colour, shape and space. His work from this period reflects his engagement with European modernism and the increasingly expressive approach to abstraction that would become central to his later paintings.

For Hofmann, colours were never simply decorative. Their relationships could create the illusion of movement, depth and tension, transforming a flat surface into something wonderfully dynamic. His experiments would eventually become associated with his celebrated theory of push and pull.

Our palette celebrates this adventurous approach to colour, giving five carefully selected yarn shades an opportunity to demonstrate a little push and pull of their own.