Lottery Wheel c. 1936

Martin Lamont’s ‘Lottery Wheel’—we don’t know exactly when he made it or with what, but imagine the scene—offers a stark, monochromatic image against a creamy, understated ground. You can almost feel the artist’s hand, the considered strokes building up this curious structure. I wonder what Lamont was thinking? I love the wheel, how it rises, dark and mysterious. This isn’t just a picture of an object; it’s an exploration of form and shadow. The paint is thin and deliberate, creating a smooth surface that almost feels like a blueprint or technical drawing. The wheel itself is just such a great shape, a near perfect circle that seems to spin even when still. Maybe Lamont was drawn to the inherent symbolism of the wheel, representing chance, fortune, and destiny? Looking at this piece, I’m reminded that all artists are in conversation with each other, across time, riffing on shapes, ideas, and emotions. It's like a game of exquisite corpse, each one adding to the story in their own way. Painting at its best, is about embracing the unknown and letting the work evolve through the act of making.