The Market 

Walter Battiss made this painting, titled 'The Market', using oil paint on canvas. The thick impasto application of paint gives the scene an almost sculptural quality; each stroke seems to capture a moment of movement and energy, the life force of the market itself. Battiss's technique is crucial here. The painting is built up with layers of gestural marks, each dab and swirl contributing to the overall composition. The vibrant colours, applied with apparent spontaneity, evoke the rich tapestry of African life. However, it is important to note that what appears effortless actually requires a high degree of skill. By engaging with this everyday scene, Battiss elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary. He asks us to consider the labor, the human interaction, and the cultural significance inherent in the simple act of buying and selling. In this way, Battiss challenges traditional notions of what constitutes 'high art', reminding us that beauty and meaning can be found in the most unexpected places.