Paddington Lizard 2017

David Michael Hinnebusch created this painting, "Paddington Lizard," using mixed media on canvas. The work is a potent example of how contemporary art grapples with representation and identity. Hinnebusch seems to reject a polished, academic style, favoring raw expression reminiscent of art brut or outsider art. This aesthetic choice can be read as a commentary on the exclusivity of the art world, challenging traditional notions of skill and beauty. The creature itself, part animal, part human, exists outside of established norms and social boundaries. To understand Hinnebusch's influences fully, we might explore the history of self-taught artists, the rise of abstract expressionism, and the changing role of galleries in promoting diverse voices. Ultimately, the meaning of "Paddington Lizard" resides not just in the image itself, but in the complex social and institutional forces that shape its creation and reception.