Icarus No.2 2018

Owen Gent made this painting, Icarus No. 2, sometime in the 20th century. It's got this really interesting mix of sharp geometric shapes and soft curves, and a muted, almost melancholic colour scheme. I can imagine Gent carefully layering the paint, building up the texture to create a sense of depth. There's this really striking dark arc that encloses the figure, almost like a protective shell, but also kind of suffocating. The figure is vulnerable, and the pose is all about retreat. The window above is so interesting. It is a bright, geometric shape, offering a glimpse of something beyond. You know, painting is like this constant back-and-forth between control and letting go. Like Philip Guston, Gent uses simplified forms to convey complex emotions. It's a visual language that speaks to our shared human experience.