The Shape of Water 2017

James Jean's "Shape of Water" is all about process; it's like he’s feeling his way through the image. The piece is executed in shades of blue, the forms of two intertwined figures – a woman and a humanoid sea creature - emerge from the depths, surrounded by seaweed and sparkling lights. The monochromatic palette gives the image a dreamy, ethereal quality, as if we are peering into another world. Look at the way Jean renders the embrace; the lines are fluid and elegant. The woman's hair flows around her face, while the creature’s form is textured with scales and fins. He’s not trying to hide the work; you can see the hand in it, the layering, the correcting, the building up of tone on the surface. Jean’s work calls to mind Beardsley’s sensual, linear style, but with a contemporary twist, adding layers of complexity and symbolism to the original narrative. It’s less about answers and more about the pleasure of looking, and the endless possibilities of art.