Much of Dingwall’s work is influenced by patterns found in nature. The structure depicted in ‘Open’ resembles the bones of a human skeleton, in particular the rib-cage. Describing the work, the artist stated: “Open is one of a body of paintings and drawings using this or a variant of the form. The image recurred over a period of years in my sketch and note-books, ‘marinating’, before being developed as a painting. In my mind it grew to represent a balance, with the central axis and rhythms weighing against each other on either side. The colour and tonal pitch were intended to evoke a sense of clarity and light… I liked the sense of using my painting to achieve a balance.”