Rascal 2017

Editor: Jason Limon's "Rascal," created in 2017 with acrylic paint, presents an immediately striking image. It feels almost like a dream, slightly unsettling yet strangely inviting with all these bizarre decorative elements. What is your reading of this whimsical character? Curator: Ah, "Rascal," yes. Limon's work often blends the cute with the slightly macabre, doesn't it? It’s like he's offering us a glimpse into a carnival sideshow in another dimension. The little fellow perched on top with the helmet, peering out with those huge eyes – isn't there something vaguely unsettling about that blank expression juxtaposed with all the embellishment? The patterning feels very intentionally dense. What does it suggest to you? Editor: The patterning to me reads as playful, almost theatrical. The letters, the damask, the jewels - it's a maximalist feast for the eyes. Almost like a bizarre royal decree? Curator: Precisely! It’s decorative art flirting with pop surrealism. And note how Limon anchors it with elements of realism in the cat’s face. The title itself, "Rascal," makes me chuckle. Is this creature mischievous, misunderstood, or perhaps just a touch lost in its ornate getup? I think it speaks volumes. Does it give you any pause that a black cat is hiding just behind this figure? Editor: A bit of both, I think! But, now that you mention it, there’s almost a subtle critique here. It’s beautiful and technically impressive, yet a little... uneasy. As if he is hiding this gorgeous black cat and drawing our attention to the spectacle. Curator: It's definitely food for thought and reflection on beauty. What a delicious dance, right? Editor: Absolutely, Limon really gave me something to chew on. I think the cat looks sad that it's behind such elaborate figure.