Hustler c. 1978

Editor: This is Ernie Barnes’ “Hustler,” an oil painting from around 1978. I’m really struck by the texture of the paint itself, especially how it defines the man’s face and clothing. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Looking at the surface and the materiality is key. Barnes wasn’t just depicting a scene; he was participating in a visual conversation about class, labor, and leisure through his deliberate use of oil paint. What kind of social context do you see represented here? Editor: I suppose the pool hall setting is a clue. It feels very working class to me, like a specific environment of masculine labor…even if the labor is somewhat illicit or unofficial. The man’s clothes, the pool table’s wear…they all contribute. Curator: Exactly! Consider the ‘means of production’ at play here: Barnes' application of paint to canvas acts as his ‘labor,’ mirroring the hustle of the man at the pool table. The oil paint itself, its source, and the social conditions of its consumption also need to be considered. It elevates what some might see as a mundane scene to an arena of complex interactions. Editor: So, it's less about just portraying a scene and more about commenting on the materials that define the situation itself? Curator: Precisely! We see the commodification of leisure and the negotiation of power happening on multiple levels, all represented and, in a sense, performed by the very act of painting with oil. Think of it this way: Barnes’ choice of realism allows him to underscore the tangible, gritty realities of his subject. The material of the painting becomes integral to understanding the hustle it depicts. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It's like the painting's own materiality is part of the story, echoing the themes of the game being played. It's made me rethink how art can communicate on different levels, not just visually. Curator: Indeed. Examining the materiality allows us to dig deeper into how the artwork acts as a historical object enmeshed within specific conditions of artistic and social production.