Home Improvement 

Lucia Heffernan made this painting, Home Improvement, with oil on canvas. The artist’s hand is evident in the smooth strokes and blending that give the cat and the leather chair their tactile quality. Oil painting has a long history, and it’s often seen as a ‘high art’ medium, with an emphasis on the artist's skill and creativity. But here, it is used to depict a cat reading a book titled, “How to Live with an Idiot”. It is a humorous reversal of roles, and it reflects our contemporary anxieties of how to navigate the complexities of modern life. The painting challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft by imbuing this work with social commentary, questioning who exactly is the idiot. By engaging with familiar, everyday scenarios, and inviting viewers to reflect on their relationships and behaviors, the artist elevates what might otherwise be a simple, humorous scene into a moment of self-awareness.