Beyond The Reckoning 2014

Editor: Here we have Mary Jane Ansell’s "Beyond The Reckoning," painted in 2014. The subjects, rendered in oil paint, present a fascinating dichotomy, and create a tableau that feels staged and deeply considered. What formal elements stand out to you in this piece? Curator: Indeed. Note first the powerful compositional device of the two figures arranged in a distinct foreground and background. The colour choices reinforce this division, with the vibrant red of the military coat in stark contrast to the softer pastels and whites that surround the reclining figure. The meticulous rendering invites close scrutiny. Consider, also, the light source and its contribution to the overall spatial construction and the surface sheen of the piece. What meaning can be drawn from the formal relationships on display? Editor: The texture is what struck me first, especially in the rendering of the fabrics – the crispness of the uniform versus the softness of the linen. The uniform seems to almost confine the space of the languid, almost dissolving form. What’s the purpose of the juxtaposition of textures? Curator: That distinction you noticed—the treatment of surface and its contrasting texture—certainly commands attention. What one notices is the tension between the precisely rendered, almost hyper-real fabric of the jacket and the diffused softness that makes the under figure so ethereal. One might argue that it signifies an inner emotional state of vulnerability versus one of outward control and strength. In considering that visual tension, where does it lead us? Editor: It really brings out the duality between control and vulnerability, power and fragility... it is subtle yet very evocative. I see so much more now just focusing on the relationship between the different components of this composition. Curator: Exactly. Paying attention to the formal structure and considering what those choices accomplish enriches one’s experience of art.