Scottish Mercenaries 1987

Scottish Mercenaries 1987 is a large figurative oil painting by Scottish artist Ken Currie. It depicts a crowd of male figures – the mercenaries referenced in the title – with the focus drawn to three at the centre. They form a triangular composition, with two seated and one standing, while behind them the crowd recedes into the background. Two of the mercenaries in the central group pore over a map and a book that features images of a gun and a figure wearing a gas mask. The third mercenary turns his head to direct his attention out towards the viewer. In the upper part of the painting are two black female wrestlers on a raised stage, which forms the point of focus for the crowd. The wrestlers are framed by a metal structure that resembles a globe and are locked together in the act of fighting, hinting at the violence that may be being planned by the mercenaries at the centre. Two spotlights flanking the globe structure emit white rays of light that add further compositional emphasis, first hitting the performers before filtering through the crowd and onto the central figures. This light cuts through the thick, hazy air of the room, a result of the cigarettes being smoked and perhaps also theatrical smoke, creating a high contrast between light and dark that evokes a cinematic style. Despite some vibrant colours – including reds, oranges, blues and yellows – overall the palette is devoid of warmth, with bruised, purplish flesh tones and a heavy use of black paint.