Peter Lowe (b. 1938)

In 1963, Lowe discovered a mathematical spiral based upon square and triangular numbers (see Exhibition catalogue, A Rational Aesthetic, London, January - March 2008, p. 29, pl. 8). This first version consists of a chrystalline spiral of consecutive integers: i.e. 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8. The total adds up to 36 which is a square number and also a triangular number. The centre of the spiral is a square. The units in the spiral increase in size by one unit until they fill a 6 x 6 unit square.
The present work displays Lowe's further investigation into his spiral invention. The work is now in red and represents the next largest possible square triangular number filling a square of 35 x 35 units and creates the second largest possible spiral after his 1963 version.