New Mexico, "Bulto", Polychromed Wooden Figure 1935 - 1942

E. Boyd made this New Mexico "Bulto," Polychromed Wooden Figure out of...well, we don't know exactly when. The charm of this piece is its colours and Boyd's handling of them, a process of layering pale washes that feel distinctly modern. The surface is so matte; you can almost feel the absorbency of the paper. The colours, these muted teals, pinks, and ochres, create a kind of hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Look closely at the way the paint is applied; thin, almost watery layers build up to create depth. There's a delicate balance between control and accident, as if the paint was allowed to find its own way. The halo, with its star-like bursts, is particularly striking. It feels both reverent and playful, a combination that encapsulates the spirit of folk art. It reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley's religious paintings, in its use of simple forms to convey a sense of profound spirituality. Art's just one big conversation, isn't it? And in this conversation, ambiguity and interpretation are always more interesting than fixed meanings.