The Boy With The Big Fish 2016

Editor: So here we have Amy Sherald's "The Boy With The Big Fish," painted in 2016, using acrylic on canvas. There's something really striking about the central figure. He seems calm, yet there is something unsettling about the gray-scale skin tones set against this bright green backdrop, like a memory fading in the sun. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Ah, Amy Sherald, she is so good at arresting moments! For me, this piece speaks to a quiet pride and maybe, just maybe, a little hint of magic realism. Think about it - the grey skin tones... Sherald does that to play with identity, doesn't she? Almost like the subject is claiming ownership of their space and being, outside the constraints of what others may project. And that fish—look how prominently it’s displayed; it's not just about the catch. It’s about proving resilience, skill. It adds an amazing sense of narrative potential! What feelings does the fish evoke in you? Editor: It’s an interesting point that you make about proving resilience and identity…It hadn’t occurred to me. Curator: See? And what do we see hanging out the top of the overalls. Hahahaha, is that his handkerchief or is he wearing it as an accouterment? What about that casual swig he's got there, too. There's so much symbolism in her art. Now, doesn't that background remind you of 60's album covers and childhood summers? Editor: Definitely, this has given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation for Sherald's piece! Curator: Right?! This whole thing plays on contrasts, doesn't it? Familiar and slightly…out of whack. Like a dream you can almost grasp, before it slips away with the tide. And just like that...Art.