Bull Elephant 2004

Curator: LeRoy Neiman's "Bull Elephant," painted in 2004, presents an interesting depiction of wildlife. What's your initial reaction to it? Editor: Chaotic, yet captivating. The vibrant colours shouldn't work on an elephant, but somehow they give it a sense of energy and presence. I’m drawn to how the artist manages to create such a textured surface with seemingly simple brushstrokes. Curator: Neiman's work often captures dynamic subjects. In this case, the elephant, an animal already laden with symbolism regarding memory and strength, is further animated through his characteristic bold style. How do you interpret his particular artistic choices in representing this animal? Editor: The brushstrokes! Notice how they're almost independent entities, building form but also disrupting it. It creates tension between representation and abstraction, fitting, considering the subject is the wild. The way the eye is rendered particularly arrests me; it has life. Curator: Absolutely. This piece reflects Neiman's broader approach, rooted in popular culture, from sports figures to wildlife, and suggests the public's fascination with the wild, in a style influenced by Abstract Expressionism, it makes the work accessible and engaging. Don't you think? Editor: Yes, I can certainly see the mark of expressionism in how emotion and feeling seem prioritised. The way that elephant almost stares back challenges us as observers. Is the focus about the animal or perhaps us as viewers? It almost dissolves traditional form. Curator: Ultimately, "Bull Elephant" serves as a fascinating example of how social interests and artistic innovation converge. The piece also says much about the shifting views and increased focus on wildlife protection around the turn of the 21st century. Editor: I agree! Considering its vivacity, I think Neiman's bull leaves a resonant trace, in memory of viewers and in painting traditions as a whole.