White Tulips 1999

Janet Fish created "White Tulips", a still life, with oil paint. What strikes me first is the way the light sort of bounces all over the place. The translucent plastic wrapping of the titular tulips and the other objects on display is a masterclass in mark-making. There's a tension between the clear light and the way the paint is applied, almost thick in places, like she's fighting to keep the clarity. Look at the folds in the plastic wrapping; they're so convincing you almost want to reach out and touch them. The shadows have a similar clarity, but they never quite become truly dark. Even the deepest tones seem to reflect light back into the surrounding space. Like Morandi, Fish finds complexity and richness in the everyday, transforming humble objects into a symphony of light and colour. The painting is more than just representation; it's an invitation to really see. It's a reminder that even the simplest things can be beautiful if we take the time to look closely.