Mahl, Yugoslovia 1969

Editor: We’re looking at LeRoy Neiman's "Mahl, Yugoslavia," painted in 1969 using acrylics. It feels incredibly energetic, like a snapshot of a moment brimming with life, and the pink figures contrast vividly against the bold blue sea. What captures your eye when you look at this painting? Curator: It's like Neiman distilled the essence of a summer's day on the Adriatic. The abstract expressionist influence allows the scene to vibrate with its own internal rhythm. Don't you feel you can almost hear the splashing and laughter, even feel the warmth of the sun-baked rocks? It reminds me of when I backpacked through Yugoslavia – the feeling of boundless freedom, the vibrant coastal life. Have you experienced a similar sense of liberation anywhere? Editor: I can almost feel that now, and I understand what you mean, especially after having to read all these art books all the time! Neiman's style really puts you in that place. So it isn’t about portraying reality but catching the spirit? Curator: Exactly! The splashes of colour aren’t precise representations but emotional gestures. Neiman isn't simply painting a scene, but an experience, the feeling of a shared moment in a vibrant place, full of people enjoying themselves. Think about how he typically captured sporting events. The same impulse is here: life at its most vivid. Does seeing it this way change your initial read on the work? Editor: It does, hugely! I came in thinking it was just a colorful painting, but now I feel like I've experienced a snippet of Yugoslavia in the ‘60s! Curator: And isn’t that what art's about? Not just seeing, but feeling, connecting across time and space. Editor: Definitely, I will think about this when travelling. Thank you for the inspiring comments.