Behold the Golden Horse 2020

Jammie Holmes made this painting, Behold the Golden Horse, with a raw and immediate energy that just grabs you. The colors feel a bit off, like a memory that's been filtered through emotion, and the way he attacks the canvas reminds me of early Basquiat – all urgency and truth. Look closely at the horse itself; it’s got this creamy, pale yellow color that feels both nostalgic and slightly surreal against the backdrop. The paint is applied pretty thickly in places, giving it a real physicality. The background is more scrubby and less defined, pushing the figure forward. I see a tension between the solidness of the boy and the world he inhabits. It’s as if the world is trying to erase him, but he’s holding his ground. This piece is a powerful statement. Holmes has such a gift for blending personal narrative with broader social commentary. It reminds us that art doesn’t always have to be polished to be profound.