Fadeaway 2018

Eckart Hahn made this painting using oil on canvas, a common choice, but what is he trying to show us? At first glance, the work is simple: a black bird perched on a knotted rope, set against a stark red backdrop. But the rope is no ordinary piece of craftsmanship; it's meticulously knotted, suggesting purpose and skill. The use of oil paint allows for a smooth, almost photographic realism, drawing attention to the textures of the rope and the bird's feathers. The way Hahn renders the material is critical to the work’s meaning. The rope, with its rough texture and tight knots, is the product of manual labor. It speaks to histories of craft and functional design. The bird, as a natural element, perches on this manufactured object, creating a visual contrast between the organic and the constructed. In "Fadeaway," Hahn asks us to consider the relationship between the natural world and human intervention. He blurs the lines between fine art and craft, inviting viewers to appreciate the skill and labor inherent in the creation of both.