Creative Idleness 2019

"Creative Idleness" (2019) by Michael Cheval is a surrealist painting featuring a woman in a historical costume playing a guitar. The woman appears to be lost in thought, her gaze directed towards a goldfish bowl containing a miniature submarine. A hand, seemingly from outside the frame, is holding a rod with a lightbulb on the end, casting a surreal air to the scene. The scene is juxtaposed against a backdrop of rich fabrics, drawing attention to the contrast between the woman's elegant attire and the seemingly random, yet carefully placed, elements. The painting is a testament to Cheval's ability to create a world of intriguing narratives, leaving the viewer to ponder the meaning of "creative idleness" within this imaginative space.