Kalif 2015

Eckart Hahn made this painting, Kalif, and the way he plays with light and shadow reminds us that art is as much about seeing as it is about doing. I love the tension in this image: a crisp, almost photorealistic stork stands rigidly, with a deflated golden bag draped over its head like some kind of bizarre, shiny hat. Hahn's skill with oil paint is evident in the way he captures the crinkled texture of the bag and the smooth feathers of the bird. Look closely, and you can almost feel the weight of the bag pressing down. The muted background emphasizes the strangeness of the scene, giving it an otherworldly quality. Hahn's work reminds me of Magritte, and his surreal juxtapositions that challenge our perceptions of reality. Like a good joke, this painting leaves you with a lingering sense of wonder. It's a testament to the power of art to surprise and delight, reminding us that seeing is not always believing.