Warthog 1950

This is John Galloway’s ‘Warthog’ on paper, I'm not sure when exactly it was made. It's a fascinating piece because of its directness. The palette is pretty simple: earthy browns, greens, grays and blacks, all working together to create a sense of immediacy. Looking closely, you can see how Galloway's put the paint down. It's neither thick nor thin, but somewhere in-between. The texture feels almost like dry pastel, which adds to the roughness of the image. Galloway isn't trying to hide his process. You can see every stroke, every decision he made. There's a lovely looping line that defines the warthog’s back which feels particularly alive. It reminds me a bit of Picasso's more gestural drawings, although Galloway has his own distinct voice. Ultimately, the beauty of a piece like this lies in its openness. It invites you to bring your own experiences and interpretations to the table. Art's not about fixed meanings, but about the conversations it starts.