Candlestick c. 1936

This 'Candlestick' was made in watercolour by Geoffrey Holt. Isn’t it funny how an everyday object can become so enchanting through art? I think he's using artmaking as a process of enchantment. I love the way Holt plays with light and shadow, especially on the red parts, so vivid and juicy. It's like he's not just painting a candlestick, but painting the idea of a candlestick. The drips coming off the silver sections give the piece a real sense of movement and energy, and they also remind me of the fluidity of watercolour paint, how it moves and settles on the paper. It's like Holt is embracing the unpredictable nature of the medium. There's something about the economy of this piece that reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who used a similar kind of reductive approach in his still lifes. Both artists seem to be searching for the essence of things. Anyway, it is a reminder that art is a conversation.