Diaspora 2016

"Diaspora," a 2016 painting by Bo Bartlett, depicts a scene of dramatic departure. The artist employs realistic techniques and a narrative style to depict the tension of farewell as two women stand together while others leave. The background features a billowing trail of fire and smoke, suggesting both destruction and a promise of a new beginning, a theme that resonates with the painting’s title. The scene's emotional weight and the artist's masterful handling of light and form create a powerful and moving artwork.