Waiting 1976

Will Barnet made this, Waiting, in tones of blue and grey. At first, this painting seems so simple, almost stark, but the more I look, the more it has to say. There are these figures, all women, placed in different parts of a house, or maybe it's by the sea? They all have this stillness about them, a quietness that makes me wonder, what are they waiting for? I imagine Barnet, moving slowly, thoughtfully, placing each figure just so, carefully creating a mood. It reminds me a little of Hopper, but somehow more gentle, less lonely. You know, we're all always waiting for something, aren't we? I think he might be suggesting that waiting itself is a kind of presence. Like, how do you wait? What do you do while waiting? Maybe this stillness and watchfulness is a practice, maybe it's even the point.