Sputum 2020

Camilla d’Errico painted ‘Sputum’ with what looks like acrylic on, maybe, board. What strikes me is how the creamy brushstrokes capture the luminous quality of the dog's fur, forming delicate swirls of tan and pink. It’s a process of patient building. The eyes and drool grab your attention. A vivid blue and green, are these eyes hyper-real? The dog is half submerged in a vibrant pool of melting colour. The paint is applied in thin, careful lines creating the illusion of movement. The thick impasto of the dog contrasts with the smooth, almost graphic nature of the pool beneath. It's as if two different realities are colliding. This layering reminds me of Dana Schutz. There is a similar tension between the tactile quality of the paint and the surreal nature of the subject matter. This is not about perfection, it's about exploration.