Off-Neck 

Dan Graziano created this oil painting, named 'Off-Neck', with an eye for the rural vernacular. The bare trees and unassuming farm buildings depicted in the painting suggest a reflection on the simplicity of rural life. This vision is far from neutral. In the last half-century, the cultural value of rural life in America has been caught in the crosshairs of political polarization, economic transformation, and the environmental movement. Graziano makes a clear choice, here, about which side he is on. With its unpretentious subject matter and traditional painterly style, this work seems to reject the progressive social trends and the dominance of abstract art found in today's art world. The work’s very existence is a statement of conservative cultural values. Art historians use a variety of sources to interpret works like this: exhibition reviews, artists' statements, and the social history of taste. Understanding the social and institutional context will enrich your appreciation of this painting.