Run And Tell That 

Curator: Here we have "Run And Tell That" by Dave Macdowell, rendered in acrylic paint, showcasing a blend of portraiture and pop-surrealist sensibilities. It immediately strikes you, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. The sheer visual contrast is arresting. The stark realism of the figures set against those almost cartoonish text bubbles. It’s like a scene ripped from a very bizarre television broadcast. Curator: Macdowell is tapping into our consumption of media, isn't he? This image, I suspect, originates from some broadcast artifact. The direct, unedited quote hovering above them emphasizes authenticity, perhaps mocking how reality itself gets mediated for our consumption. Editor: Look closely, and you'll see that his chosen palette further intensifies the unsettling feel. The hues are mostly muted except for the bandana on the man which draws your eyes immediately. It directs your gaze exactly where the author wants. What statement do you think the text and the artist want to make here? Curator: Exactly! This painting becomes less about individual identity, focusing instead on the creation and propagation of shared narratives, distorted realities amplified through media outlets and consumed by everyday individuals. It also reflects how artists borrow material found outside art world's to fuel their artworks. Editor: Indeed, the choice of materials also plays a crucial role. The application of the acrylic on the panel…it's neither polished nor rough, straddling the line, like the subject matter itself between seriousness and satire. The composition adds another layer. Note the claustrophobic cropping pushing our subjects forward into the viewer’s space. Curator: That pushes you right up against the realities it's presenting. Macdowell makes us reckon with it directly. The artist creates not merely an image, but an immediate reflection of media’s presence, revealing a slice of our daily encounters with information and narrative control. Editor: I agree. Macdowell successfully melds formalism with a very relevant and critical topic for our times. Curator: Well, this journey has certainly highlighted Macdowell's sharp critique and talent. It provides ample material for examination regarding consumption, material, and processes of art in modern society. Editor: Undeniably. There’s something so deeply resonant in how Macdowell blends form and statement. A truly intriguing study.