Standing Shadow, 2013 2013

Richard Hambleton made this painting, Standing Shadow, in 2013, with paint, probably acrylic, maybe ink, on canvas. The painting has these violent strokes of black, like splatters, drips, and explosions around the figure. The backdrop is a stark contrast of white and yellow, adding to the intensity. Imagine Hambleton in his studio, slashing at the canvas, trying to capture something fleeting and raw. I’m thinking about the New York art scene, the energy, the desperation, the shadows, and how Hambleton’s work fits into that rebellious spirit, like Haring or Basquiat. It’s like he’s channeling the city's pulse right onto the canvas. That central figure, it’s not just a shadow but an echo, a haunting presence that refuses to be ignored. It makes me think that artists are always in dialogue with each other, with the past, with their own demons, and that painting is one way to make them visible.