The Cruel Fair 2007

Bo Bartlett painted "The Cruel Fair", and it feels like a stage set, a carefully constructed moment in time. I wonder, was he thinking about those old master paintings, where every detail seems to hold a hidden meaning? The smooth surface and dreamlike quality give it a surreal edge. The figure lying down looks pretty relaxed, despite the ominous stick-wielding character stepping over them. Are they benevolent or cruel? It reminds me how we often create these scenes in our own minds, little dramas with ourselves as the main character. There’s something inherently human in trying to make sense of the world through stories, through painting. Like a puzzle with pieces that don't quite fit, inviting us to keep looking, keep questioning.