Bird Catchers 2017

Joshua Flint made this painting, Bird Catchers, using oils to conjure a dreamlike image. The way Flint applies paint here, it's all about the process, the gestures, and the sheer physicality of the medium itself. The textures in this piece are really interesting. The brushwork is visible, and almost translucent in the water, but thick and opaque in the boat. The paint is layered, creating depth and a sense of movement. Notice the lower left corner where the paint drips down the canvas, a beautiful accident, or maybe not? These drips are like traces of the artist's hand, reminding us that this is a human-made object, an illusion conjured from pigment and canvas. Flint’s work reminds me of Gerhard Richter, who was also interested in how paintings can explore memory and perception. Both artists share an understanding that art embraces ambiguity, inviting us to engage with multiple interpretations.