Harp 2018

Editor: James Jean's "Harp," painted in 2018, presents a fascinating puzzle. It's like a dream, surreal and a bit melancholic. I’m really struck by the ethereal feel of the whole composition. How do you even begin to unpack something this imaginative? Curator: Imaginative indeed! It whispers secrets rather than shouts them, doesn't it? Jean seems to be weaving together elements of portraiture, surrealism, and even a touch of fantasy. I'm drawn to the recurring motif of eyes; they appear not just on the figure but also embedded within the flora. What do you make of that? Editor: I hadn't noticed the embedded eyes so much at first glance. It almost feels like everything is watching, aware. The woman seems both part of nature and separate from it. What does the harp symbolize? Curator: That's the million-dollar question! Perhaps the harp, with its heart-shaped form, represents harmony and beauty, which she gently holds. Or perhaps the potential for creating that harmony; look at her expression, it suggests she's choosing whether to coax melody from it or leave it untouched. The colours, too, hint at reflection; everything is muted, dreamy. I’m almost certain I saw this world once in a fever dream. Am I alone in thinking that? Editor: No, it does feel very dreamlike! The pink puppy adds to the surreality. So, it is up to us, like her, to choose what we get from it, how we ‘play’ it and weave our interpretation of reality around it? Curator: Precisely. And that's the magic of Jean's work, I think: he invites us to collaborate in creating the story, adding our own melodies. It becomes a mirror reflecting our inner landscapes. Editor: That's given me a whole new appreciation for this piece. I see the open invitation now! Curator: And isn't that what art should do? Shift the way we perceive, nudge us toward seeing the world—and ourselves—a little differently?