Untitled 2010

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on June 29, 2011 at 3:44pm

Curator’s Comment:

 

The social-realistic stylization of the figures works extremely well in this visibly narrative painting.  The soft brushwork brings light and movement into the piece, yet it doesn’t appear to go as far as to use symbolic or expressive color.  Perhaps this would be too contrived.  While it has a parable-like essence with multiple staged figures and recurring motifs, I also find something slightly sarcastic, or acerbic about their portrayal.  The blue eyed figure in the extreme foreground has a faintly vacuous look, oblivious to the transactions – moneyed or otherwise- that are going on in her immediate presence.  That’s not even mentioning the colossal apparition of Jesus. All the while she wears a cross around her neck, asserting her affiliation.  I’m wondering if the image of her clutching her purse (also crossing her) is in pointed contrast to the scattered bills around the musician’s case.  As with all good fables, what we take from the story depends on our own values and with whom we empathize.