The Stairway 2020

Zoe Hawk made this painting, called 'The Stairway', sometime in the 20th century. The artist uses very smooth, almost invisible brushwork and a surreal palette, which seems at once harmonious and slightly off-key, to create an eerie scene. I love how the muted reds, yellows and oranges of the girls' dresses contrast with the cool greens and blues of the forest. The paint is applied in thin, even layers, giving the work a smooth, almost porcelain-like finish. Look closely, and you'll notice how the light catches the subtle curves of the fabric. The girls are arranged in a mysterious tableau, surrounded by a ring of dark trees. I get the sense they are in some kind of liminal space - part stage set, part nightmarish daydream. It reminds me a bit of the paintings of Balthus, who also had a knack for capturing the unsettling nature of childhood.