When the Bough Breaks

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on December 15, 2014 at 7:02pm

Curator’s Comments: 

 

It’s very easy to overlook the supernatural elements in When the Bough Breaks, getting caught up in the meticulously painted landscape. The high value contrast of the charcoal grey trees against the blank white sky is echoed in the partially snow covered rocky ground.  But the environment is far from sterile, and within the interior of the detailed forest space the viewer is treated to another layer of content and subject matter. The nursery rhythm referenced in the title has a seemingly happier ending, with the tiny infant safely cradled in an open nest-like sack.  But the alternate hanging straw or burlap bags suggest other living baby bundles among the small black crows. The fanciful subject is well suited to your stylistic finesse of a realistic winter scene. In lesser hands, the figures of the story could overwhelm or get lost in the picture altogether.  This is a wonderful piece, and the surprise narrative within the landscape had me looking back through all of your other works.