Circling Sharks 2015

Albrecht Behmel created this painting, "Circling Sharks," using acrylic on canvas. Acrylic paint is interesting: it came into widespread use in the mid-20th century and has become a standard material. The sharks are arranged to create a visual push and pull. The painting has an overall sense of flatness, yet the sharks have been painted with such detail, almost like a mosaic of color. The many sharks give the impression of movement. The labor involved in painting such tiny details is a sign of the artist’s intense focus and commitment. The use of acrylic here reflects broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and the amount of work involved in its production. This all reminds us that understanding art involves recognizing the artist’s labor, material choices, and how it all relates to culture.