Dog Country

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on February 8, 2024 at 10:22am

Curator’s Comment:

Dog Country remains a popularly viewed piece on the site more than a decade after it was first shared.  I was happy to take a longer look today, as the complexity of the mixed media painting incentivizes us with longer viewing.  I enjoy the way the various figures- human and dog- float in and out of the foreground of the picture plane.  The repeated oval shapes provide a secondary abstract motif to complement the figuration. The color palette is pleasing, and unusual in that the tinted warm hues are provided contrast with more neutral grays.  This tempers the whimsical tone that could otherwise arise from a consistently high key, or high chroma color system.  I continue to revisit to the central dog head. My first inclination was to suggest it is an upbeat focal point, but with more consideration I see a mechanical edge to the jawline, or even a skull-like shadow in the disembodied face. Perhaps there’s a deeper narrative than at first meets the eye, adding to the pleasure of viewing the work.  Please do consider adding new works if you’re still able, and active to the site.