The Raising of Lazarus 2007

Chris Ofili created this painting, "The Raising of Lazarus", with bold shapes and a rich palette that feels both earthy and otherworldly. It’s like he’s not just depicting a scene but also inviting us into a space of transformation through the act of painting itself. The layering of colour and texture creates a kind of emotional landscape. You can almost feel the thick, dark greens and blacks against the vibrant oranges and yellows. The paint is applied in broad strokes, not hiding the hand of the artist, making the process feel immediate. Take a look at the way the yellow figure seems to emerge from the canvas. It reminds me a bit of Gauguin's explorations of colour and form, or maybe even some of the dreamlike spaces you find in Odilon Redon’s work. Ultimately, “The Raising of Lazarus” thrives on ambiguity, offering a rich, sensory experience that invites endless interpretations.