Life After Sundown 1979

Ernie Barnes made "Life After Sundown" with paint, sometime during his career. The earthy colors and loose brushstrokes tell me Barnes wasn't aiming for realism. It's more like he's capturing a feeling, a moment in time. You can see the process in the way he builds up the layers of color, like a memory being pieced together. I'm drawn to the light filtering in from the doorway, how it illuminates the figures playing cards. The paint is thick here, almost sculptural, giving the scene a sense of depth and weight. But it's not just about the light itself, but the way it casts shadows, obscuring faces, and adding to the mystery of the scene. You can almost hear the murmur of voices, the clinking of glasses, the shuffling of cards. Barnes reminds me a little of Jacob Lawrence, in his commitment to documenting everyday life and the African American experience. But Barnes brings his own unique perspective, celebrating the joy and resilience of his community. Art is a conversation, after all.