Hi, Honey 1981

Ed Ruscha, with a sly sense of humor, painted 'Hi, Honey' using oil on canvas. The dark ground, a deep, matte black, makes the visual elements pop. Here we have a simple scene—a fishing rod rendered in a tan color, arching across the top of the canvas. It’s got a carrot dangling from the line, a bright orange contrast against the dark background. I wonder if Ruscha was thinking about the absurdity of desire, or maybe the bait we use to lure each other. The word "honey" suggests a sweetness, a trap. The carrot itself is painted with such precision, such care. It reminds me of Magritte's surreal juxtapositions or maybe even some of Johns’ object paintings. Artists are always playing with these kinds of visual games.