Creatures 1976

Jules Perahim made this painting, Creatures, sometime during his career, with paint on canvas. I love how the shapes seem to just emerge, like they’re improvising as they go. It's a reminder that artmaking isn't about perfection, but about the process of discovery. The surface has this smooth, almost dreamlike quality, which really draws you into Perahim's world. Notice the dark central figure, and how it cradles a little world inside of it. The way the paint is applied—thin in some areas, maybe built up in others—gives the forms a kind of depth, like they're breathing. Then you have this leg in the foreground. It is like a surreal ballet, each element floating in its own space, yet intimately connected. This reminds me of some of Max Ernst’s paintings—that same playful, surrealist vibe, but with its own unique voice. Art is a conversation, right? Perahim adds his own verse to it.