Tinsel Picture c. 1937

George File made this ‘Tinsel Picture’ sometime in the 20th century, and I reckon he was working intuitively, letting the process guide him. The color palette is muted, like a faded memory, dominated by warm reds and a cool, almost melancholy blue. Looking at the surface, you can see the texture. It’s not about hiding the hand of the artist; it’s about the physicality of the medium. The paint seems thin in places, almost transparent, allowing the under layers to peek through. There’s a particular mark, the bee on the vase, it's so carefully placed, a tiny detail that brings the whole piece to life. File’s work reminds me a bit of Forrest Bess, another artist who wasn’t afraid to go his own way. Like Bess, File embraces ambiguity. It’s not about fixed meanings; it’s about opening up a space for multiple interpretations.