A Group of Polish Pilots 1960

Patrick Procktor made this painting, A Group of Polish Pilots, with what looks like pretty washy paint, but there's a definite sense of play and experimentation. The painting feels very immediate and almost like a sketch. You can really see the hand of the artist in the application of the paint, the way the brushstrokes remain visible, creating a sense of movement and spontaneity. The colour palette is pretty limited, mostly greys and browns, but there's a real sensitivity in the way the tones shift and blend. It's as if he's trying to capture a fleeting moment, a collective mood. Take a look at the pilot standing to the left, the way his features are so simplified, almost cartoonish. It reminds me a little of early Guston, or maybe even some of Elizabeth Murray's more figurative work. I think Procktor is engaging in a dialogue with painting's history, but also bringing his own unique vision to it, embracing ambiguity and multiple readings.