Revolt of the Pets 1959

Desmond Morris made this untitled painting, “Revolt of the Pets,” probably in the latter half of the 20th century, using what looks like oil on board. The painting has a warm, almost feverish red background that’s been scrubbed into the surface with visible brushstrokes. On top of this, Morris adds these peculiar figures that seem part animal, part machine, with flat, bright colors and hard, sharp edges. I love the way he applies the paint thinly, allowing the texture of the board to peek through, giving the whole thing a kind of raw, immediate feel. Look at the way the figures are arranged against that red, like characters on a stage. There's a real sense of play in how Morris puts this piece together. I’m reminded a little of Joan Miro, in the way that both artists create these dreamlike worlds with simplified shapes and forms. But unlike Miro, Morris brings a certain scientific edge to his work, and a certain anxiety too. Art is a conversation, and Morris chimes in with his own unique voice, raising a question about the relationship between humans and animals. It’s a question without a clear answer, and that’s what makes it so compelling.