Superbowl 1993

Jack Davis created this watercolour, 'Superbowl', at some point in his career. It's like, POW, a flurry of activity, hands reaching for that trophy like it's the last slice of pizza. The way he's used watercolour is really fascinating, isn’t it? It’s not just about colours, it’s about how the paint behaves, the blooms, the bleeds, and the way he’s let it settle in certain areas, it's pure process. Check out the hands. Look at how he uses line to define the forms and the quick, almost frenetic strokes that make up the textures of the gloves and skin. There’s a sense of urgency in every mark, mirroring the players’ desperation to grab that trophy. Davis gives us so much visual information with so little effort, it’s the mark of a true master. Davis' style reminds me a lot of Ralph Steadman, both masters of capturing the energy and chaos of a moment with a few strokes. And, like Steadman, Davis teaches us that sometimes, the best art is the kind that asks more questions than it answers.