Curious
(June, 2004)
acrylic on canvas
64 inches x 84 inches
this piece is currently
available for purchase.
email me if you like.
This man has boxing gloves on but he doesn't have the physique of a fighter. He is on the ground but he is smiling as if not hurt. He is pale and flabby and awkward, but what is he enjoying? His expression is curious, and he also seems to be curious about something. Thus the painting's title is ambiguous. It is on the one hand about finding joy in a humble position, and it is also about not letting the bastards grind you down - as my friend Seth quotes Bono.
Or perhaps he is looking through his legs at everybody in the place and giggling to himself that everybody is upside down. Is this painting pure and child-like, full of uncomplicated delight? Or is this fellow a bit strange or suspect since he could be looking at his own crotch?
I have my thoughts on the matter, but I offer this curious painting to you. Feel free to get to know the curious fellow in it and maybe he will tell you what he's looking at - why he's smiling.
Enjoy
baker