This unique work on paper offers a glimpse into the experimental process that culminates in Beverly Fishman’s large-scale, sculptural Pill Reliefs—luminous, abstract multi-forms gleaned from the visual languages of polypharmacy and modernism. Fishman’s research centers on humanity’s relationship with the medical-industrial complex. Deftly subverting Big Pharma’s visual lexicon and chemical promises, her compositions propose a glowing, postmodern approach to aesthetic transcendence. Fishman’s works on paper highlight her search for deeper meaning within the sensorial union of color and form. They also mirror her thoughts about people taking multiple pills, or parts of pills, per day. “It’s crazy the way people mix up pills, especially in nursing homes,” Fishman points out. “But when a patient who should probably not be on the group of pills they’re on already, then has to add a pill, it’s very hard to take them off all their medication, because the side effects would be too hard to handle. So they’re tweaking, looking for the right balance.” Fishman does the same with her works on paper, tweaking the colors and forms, looking for the right balance. Fishman says, “One hundred percent, I’m looking for a sensation from these colors.” The final Pill Reliefs need a high-quality finish to mimic the fabrication of pills. Conceptually they cannot look handmade or show brush marks. Fishman’s works on paper, on the other hand, rejoice in their handmade, hand-cut materiality. “They have become something on their own,” Fishman says. “I don’t work on the computer. I do it by hand.” As with the final Pill Reliefs, Fishman’s works on paper possess a range of finishes, from shiny to matte. “I use all types of papers, from art stores, design stores, hardware stores, along with vinyl, cardboard, fabric, whatever,” Fishman explains. “I like the materiality of color as something physical.”