Assassination 1966

Charles Garabedian made this painting called "Assassination" with an expressive, almost raw approach to the paint. You can see that he wasn't afraid to let the process show. Looking at this painting, I'm struck by the way Garabedian uses color and texture to create a sense of unease. The paint is applied in layers, with areas of thick impasto and thin washes. The surface is rough and uneven, almost like a crime scene photo. Notice the man’s green suit, standing out starkly against the pinks and reds of the other figures. It’s almost as if he’s trying to blend in, but he’s just too obvious. This reminds me of Francis Bacon who also distorted his subjects into nightmarish visions. Garabedian reminds us that art doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. It can be messy, chaotic, and even a little bit scary.