Figurehead: "Hercules" 1935 - 1942

This is John W. Kelleher's "Figurehead: Hercules," made with watercolor and graphite on paper. It shows a process of close observation, capturing every single detail. The color is muted. It’s almost like the statue has been unearthed, and this is a record of the find, a sort of preliminary sketch or study of the object. I can see the way Kelleher works with layers to build up the form. It is like he is translating the 3D object onto a 2D surface, using light and shadow to create depth. What strikes me most is the blue on the base. It's a surprising addition. It brings the work to life, suggesting decay or the effects of time. It’s a nod to the fact that art is an ongoing conversation. You can see that he is having a conversation with artists of the past through this image. The drawing is full of information but leaves a lot of room for imagination.