Games and Shines c. 1970

Curator: Ernie Barnes’s painting "Games and Shines," likely completed around 1970, captures a scene brimming with daily activity. The medium is oil on canvas, lending a palpable texture to each figure and object. Editor: The somber tone immediately strikes me. Earthy hues dominate, evoking a sense of timelessness, of something observed more than staged. Is this deliberate or accidental? Curator: Consider how the artist emphasizes line and shadow. Notice the stark contrast created by the light fixture hanging over the billiards table. Barnes utilizes chiaroscuro to lead our eyes to certain figures within the composition. Editor: Yes, and to see it only in terms of light is to miss Barnes's socio-political lens. Observe how the Black patrons are segregated and the figures’ spatial arrangements tell a story. The figure being served has upward mobility, shown with new suit and news print, versus those still struggling. What narratives are revealed through class? Curator: The dynamic interplay between these human forms, bending and leaning, underscores Barnes's distinctive rendering of the human anatomy. Look specifically at the elongated limbs, an expressive exaggeration prevalent in his work. It draws attention to movement and emphasizes their actions in that place. Editor: The exaggerated figures further underscore the politics of looking, suggesting there’s more happening beneath the surface of a game hall. The Black gaze – who it includes, and who it excludes, speaks to experiences with power in Black life. This challenges traditional Western art-historical tropes of objectivity and instead makes viewers consider positionality. Curator: While I appreciate the historical perspective, can’t we acknowledge that Barnes' technique makes each character distinct while being united by painterly marks that capture the nuances of human interaction? Editor: Undoubtedly. It reveals how deeply aesthetic choices—color palette, formal exaggeration—intertwine with how viewers perceive the culture and sociopolitical statements behind the imagery. Each choice underscores both struggle and humanity of the painting. Curator: His handling of pigment makes each object appear almost touchable, reinforcing Barnes’ keen visual observation and technical skills. Editor: That layering helps build on the fact that it speaks beyond pure technique; the piece is a complex study on themes relevant yesterday and today.