Far Far Down 2018

Kaws made this painting, Far Far Down, by playing with recognizable imagery. The result is an interesting game of hide and seek that takes place on the surface of the canvas. There's a real tension between flatness and depth. Kaws' use of bold, graphic lines and blocks of color creates a kind of puzzle for the eye. I'm drawn to the drips, the way they seem to defy gravity, hanging in space. They’re like tears but they’re also kind of playful, like cartoon tears. They seem to exist in their own dimension, hovering just above the surface. Thinking about it, this approach reminds me of David Hockney. I’m thinking about how he flattens perspective and plays with space. Both artists invite us to see the world in a new way, to question our assumptions about what is real and what is not. Ultimately, this is what I appreciate most about art. It’s a conversation, a dialogue between artists, and a way of seeing and thinking.