Untitled (Vandalism Series) 

Joe Goode’s “Untitled” from the “Vandalism Series” is made from paint and canvas, materials that seem straightforward, but become deceptive in his hands. Here, Goode doesn’t just apply paint; he simulates the act of destruction. The canvas isn’t merely a surface, but a stand-in for a wall, or perhaps a billboard, seemingly torn away to reveal the rough surface underneath. Consider the labor involved - the careful layering and distressing of the paint. It mimics the crude act of vandalism, yet it's rendered with meticulous detail. The torn edges and the subtle gradations of color suggest the passage of time, as if we're witnessing the aftermath of a violent act. What appears effortless is, in fact, the result of careful planning and skilled execution, blurring the line between accident and intention. Goode challenges our notions of what art should be, elevating everyday acts of destruction to the realm of fine art. It reminds us that the meaning of an artwork resides not only in what is depicted, but in how it is made, and the social context in which it is created.