Boon 1957

Editor: James Brooks's "Boon," painted in 1957, is an oil on canvas piece that sits right in the heart of Abstract Expressionism. Seeing it here, it feels like a whirlwind of muted tones, mainly blacks, whites, and ochres all wrestling for space. The composition feels incredibly dynamic. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Well, for starters, that "whirlwind" you picked up on? Absolutely key. For me, it’s about feeling the energy of the paint, almost like catching a moment of pure, raw creation frozen in time. Brooks was one of those artists, wasn't he, who was less interested in 'what' he was painting and more absorbed by 'how' he was doing it. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, what "Boon" signifies to him? Or maybe, better put: what felt like a boon *while* he was wrestling with the canvas. Editor: A gift, maybe? Inspiration striking? Curator: Precisely! The beauty of abstract expressionism is this freedom for interpretation. Do you sense any underlayers suggesting prior states of the painting? Times when it was headed in a different direction, conceptually or compositionally? Editor: I think so, yeah! Especially towards the bottom, there’s a sense of earlier marks fighting to peek through. Like ghosts of artistic decisions past. Curator: Ghosts, yes! Wonderful. To me, those ghostly impressions are vital – they highlight a certain kind of vulnerable authenticity that characterizes the abstract expressionist mindset at the time. And Brooks clearly wasn't afraid to let them bleed into the finished piece, offering an interesting and deeply complex look into the layers of creative struggle and, ultimately, triumphant catharsis. Editor: It's almost as if he's painting the *act* of painting itself. Thinking about "Boon" now, it feels much more immediate and intimate. Thanks for sharing your view! Curator: My pleasure! I find this piece just explodes with visual energy! I'll be looking at Brooks’s other works soon to expand my knowledge.