Tuskers 2016

David Michael Hinnebusch made Tuskers with paint on canvas, though we don't know exactly when. The overall impression is one of process; it is clear that Hinnebusch wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. The paint is applied in layers, with some areas being quite thick and opaque, while others are thin and transparent, and there is a lovely contrast between these textures, which gives the painting a real sense of depth. I love the way the green paint at the top is almost scrubbed into the canvas, creating a rough, textured surface. This mark contrasts beautifully with the smoother, more fluid strokes of red paint that frame the composition. It reminds me of the work of Cy Twombly, who also embraced a kind of raw, gestural mark-making, and like Twombly, Hinnebusch seems to be more interested in the act of painting itself than in creating a perfect representation of the subject. Ultimately, this painting is about the joy of experimentation and the beauty of imperfection.