The Herring Net 2017

Editor: Here we have Kehinde Wiley's 2017 oil painting, "The Herring Net." The dramatic sky really sets the scene. I am immediately drawn to the dynamic composition and the powerful contrast between the turbulent sea and the figures in the boat. How do you approach understanding a work like this? Curator: Intriguing choice, let's dissect this work based on its formal elements. The most striking aspect is Wiley's use of color. Observe the tension between the warm, almost fiery, hues of the sky and the cool greens and blues of the water. This contrast not only creates a visually arresting image but also a palpable sense of unease. Notice too how the rough texture of the aged boat plays against the relative smoothness of the water and the human skin; what does that material juxtaposition suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps it underscores the precariousness of their situation, a fragility against the immensity and power of nature? It also feels quite distinct from other portraiture in the collection. Curator: Precisely. The use of realism within a seemingly romantic landscape also provokes curiosity. The painting rejects a traditional polished portrait in favor of raw emotions enhanced through visible brushstrokes and careful arrangement. Think about how Wiley's technique helps us to focus on the present and tangible, on formal expression rather than a narrative interpretation. What feeling remains dominant? Editor: A sense of brooding silence, I think. I see how analyzing the composition through a formal lens helps to see the image anew. Curator: Indeed. The expressive colour palette in combination with precise figures generates visual interest.