Two on a Sofa 

Milt Kobayashi made this painting "Two on a Sofa" with traditional oil paints, applied to what looks like a square canvas. The material qualities of oil paint – its viscosity, the way it catches light, the smooth surface – are all on display here. Kobayashi uses thick brushstrokes and bold colors to create a sense of depth and texture. It seems as though he has built the painting up gradually, layer by layer. We can see this in the way the blue of the sofa has a very particular floral form, contrasting with the abstract background. This way of working is quite different from other art practices, such as the ones that use digital tools, as well as those associated with craft, such as ceramics, glassblowing or woodwork. Yet, just as with other creative processes, Kobayashi's artistic process depends on a whole network of labor, from the production of pigments to the weaving of the canvas. Ultimately, the real social context of a work like this is the art market, where paintings are bought and sold as commodities. Kobayashi’s expertise is clearly visible, and challenges us to reconsider the value and meaning we attribute to fine art, distinct from other forms of skilled work.