Five In Red 1970

Ernie Barnes, sometime in the 20th century, made "Five In Red", probably in oil paint. The way Barnes approaches mark-making is interesting; it's representational but slightly loose, like he's improvising, or like he's thinking through the medium. Look closely at the red: it's not just one flat tone. It's got these variations and subtle shifts, which give the painting depth. Barnes’ work is concerned with surface, and physicality. The textures aren't perfectly smooth; you can see the strokes, the build-up of paint. In this way, the surface shows the evidence of the artist's hand, a record of the process. Notice how Barnes elongates the limbs and bodies of the figures, it's his signature. Barnes seems influenced by artists like Thomas Hart Benton, but with a funkier edge. In the end, art's all about the conversation – what's been said, and what's left to say.