Rhinoceros tamer 2016

This is 'Rhinoceros tamer' by Babak-Matveev, created in 2014, and it's a wild ride! It's got this vibrant mix of colours that just pops, like the artist threw a party and every hue was invited. I'm getting a sense of playfulness and curiosity - I can almost feel the artist's excitement as they built up these layers of meaning. I feel like Babak-Matveev is asking us to consider our relationship to the natural world. The textures are so rich, they practically leap off the surface, don't they? And look at how the artist has captured this, suggesting the animal's power but also a sense of gentleness. It’s like the artist wanted to show us the world through a slightly cracked lens, full of wonder and a bit of wackiness. I bet he has a good sense of humor and is interested in the beauty of everyday life. I think, fundamentally, artists are responding to one another across time, and so much of painting is really just an ongoing, extended conversation. It's also a constant process of finding new ways to say what's already been said.