Cut Peach, Blue Vase 1993

Janet Fish made this painting, Cut Peach, Blue Vase, with oil paint, and what a gorgeous collection of objects! I love the way the artist has thought about mark making, considering how each brushstroke contributes to the composition as a whole. There’s something so luscious about the peaches, how they sit amongst the glassware and the vase of flowers. The paint looks quite thin, transparent even, but it's possible to see the marks of the brush. Look at how the orange light from the surface bounces on the jug behind the bowl of fruit. This is achieved through layers of paint, and loose, gestural marks. The light is reflected and refracted, creating a warm, luminous effect that invites you right into the scene. Fish’s work reminds me of the paintings of Lois Dodd, how everyday objects can become so interesting and rich in a painting. There's no right or wrong answer about what a painting means, it's always up for grabs!