Rose in Rest in Peace 2017

David Michael Hinnebusch made this painting, Rose in Rest in Peace, with plenty of bright colors. It's a party of oranges, yellows and reds, with the odd slash of green and purple which gives it a real sense of depth. The paint looks like it's been put down quickly, with lots of visible brushstrokes. It's like Hinnebusch was really in the moment, making decisions as he went. I love the way the white lines dance across the surface. They almost seem to be holding the whole thing together. There’s something about the urgency of the mark making that reminds me of Joan Mitchell's work – that same kind of energy and emotional intensity. But while Mitchell worked on a larger scale, Hinnebusch has created something really powerful and intimate in this small painting. It makes you wonder if definitive meanings are even possible, or even desirable in art.