Nick’s Shoe Repair 1984

Robert Qualters made this painting of Nick’s Shoe Repair using what looks like crayon and pencil – a humble medium for a humble subject. The lines are scratchy and restless, like thoughts scribbled on a page, not aiming for photorealism, but something more felt. Look at how he builds up the space! It's crammed with objects, each rendered with care, as if every tool and shoe has a story to tell. I love how the colors shift and change, moving between warm browns and cool blues, creating a kind of visual vibration. There’s a sign that reads ‘Not responsible for shoes left over 30 days’ – this little detail gives such a sense of the everyday rhythm of the shop. Qualters captures the poetics of this simple place. Qualters reminds me of Red Grooms, an artist who also found beauty in the mundane. And like Grooms, Qualters’ work embraces the messy, imperfect, and utterly human quality of life.