The Joy of Sax 2021

Mark Kostabi made "The Joy of Sax" with smooth gradients of colour, creating a dreamscape in oil paint. I'm guessing that Kostabi began by blocking out the shapes of the figures, then layering colour upon colour to achieve that glowing, almost surreal effect. I love how the colours blend and shift, creating a sense of depth and movement. What I notice most is how the colours are flat and evenly applied, which gives the painting a graphic quality. The way the figures are rendered, faceless and smooth, reminds me of mannequins or classical sculptures, but with a pop art twist. It makes me think about his engagement with art history. It's easy to see the influence of artists like Giorgio de Chirico here, but Kostabi brings his own sensibility to the table. Artists, you know, are always borrowing and remixing ideas from each other, creating something new in the process. It is like a conversation through time. It makes painting always feel fresh and exciting.