When everything is a given. 2018

Editor: This vibrant piece, "When everything is a given." created by Justin Earl Grant in 2018, seems to be a mixed media work, perhaps acrylics and pastels on canvas. It’s chaotic and energetic – almost like a visual representation of conflicting emotions. What do you see in this work? Curator: I see layers, both literally and figuratively. The bold colors, especially the dominant reds, evoke primal energy – perhaps anger or passion, but also a certain life force. The contrasting blues and yellows, and the embedded shapes... they fight against and within that red field. This use of color creates a visual dialogue. It asks us to question what we take for granted about emotions and their relationship. What is it that strikes *you* most powerfully about this emotional conversation? Editor: I’m drawn to the mirrored quality—it feels like a reflection, maybe internal versus external feelings? Curator: Precisely! That mirroring, which isn’t quite symmetrical, taps into our own internal landscapes. Are these opposing sides of a feeling or experience? Or, maybe more broadly, is the artwork revealing an exploration of cause and effect – of action and reaction? Are we looking at a moment of emotional fracturing or potential for synthesis? The artist is not handing us easy answers. Editor: I see what you mean. It's almost like the painting wants us to work out the artist’s thoughts for ourselves. Curator: And, in doing so, discover our own, which is the enduring power of images. To use art in this way, to allow room for people to consider a new idea or interpretation is a good thing! The cultural symbols that come from art become touchstones. The viewer and artwork now build the same cultural identity together. What do you make of the painting’s title? Editor: Well, "When everything is a given" now sounds almost sarcastic. It’s challenging the idea that anything is truly guaranteed or simple, especially when it comes to feelings! Curator: I agree. The painting's title adds a layer of irony. We both recognize the image for its implied emotion now; before, we had yet to uncover any specific human elements!