Mirror 1966

Frank Bowling made this painting, Mirror, with acrylic on canvas. Right away, I'm drawn to how the spiraling architectural structure, rendered in shimmering gold, dominates the composition. It's interesting to look at the way Bowling uses paint, thick in some areas and almost translucent in others, creating a push-pull effect with depth. Note the floor, a checkerboard receding into the distance, it's like a dream space. The figures at the top of the staircase are so cartoonish they become eerie. Is this a family portrait, or a gathering of spectres? I'm reminded of Francis Picabia, who likewise never settled on one specific style, but whose work shares a similarly subversive spirit. Ultimately, what I appreciate most about this painting is its willingness to embrace uncertainty, to exist in the realm of sensation rather than fixed meaning.