Thirty Pieces of Silver 2006

Chris Ofili painted this piece, Thirty Pieces of Silver, with paint, using a palette of blues and whites. It feels like the blues evoke night, and the whites maybe the moonlight breaking through. Look at the way Ofili uses texture to create depth. The paint seems thick in some areas, particularly in the background, giving it a kind of stormy feel. The dancer is smooth and bright, and I love how her form melts into the lighter background like a memory or an idea. Those little white circles scattered on the stage are like thoughts, or maybe temptations, floating around. It reminds me a bit of Henri Matisse, especially his use of color and simplified forms. But Ofili brings his own contemporary edge, exploring identity, culture, and history. Art is all about these conversations across time, each artist adding their voice to the mix.