A Gift 2013

Eric Massholder gave us this large painting, about 200 x 200 cm, entitled ‘A Gift’ but we don't know when. I'm drawn to the way he seems to be making up the rules as he goes along! The surface has a really interesting tension. It's almost like the paint is caught mid-transformation, between states. The palette is bright, with the use of black to define the forms. I love the way the figures seem to glow, yet are built with thick, almost clotted paint. The artist allows the paint to be itself. Look at the way Massholder has painted those tree roots! There's a push and pull between representation and abstraction. It reminds me a little of Chris Ofili, who also combines figuration with bold color and pattern. Massholder embraces the messy, unpredictable nature of painting, reminding us that art is a conversation. There's no single right answer, just endless possibilities.