Relish 1990

Ralph Goings made this incredibly vivid still life, “Relish,” using a photorealist approach to painting. I’m always fascinated by how artists choose to depict the everyday. Goings isn't just copying what he sees; he's making choices about composition, color, and detail. Look at the way he handles light, for example. The reflections on the glass and metal surfaces are so precise, they almost trick the eye. And yet, there's something undeniably painterly about the way he renders the ketchup bottle. The jar of relish itself is a whole world of texture and color. The greens, yellows, and browns blend together in a way that's both appetizing and slightly unsettling. Is it me, or does it remind you of Wayne Thiebaud’s cakes? Both artists use the visual language of commercial food to make us think about consumerism and desire. Ultimately, "Relish" is an invitation to slow down, look closely, and savor the unexpected beauty of the mundane.