Hot Rhythm 1961

Archibald Motley’s painting, "Hot Rhythm", pulsates with a vibrant energy, capturing a frenetic jazz scene with bright colours. I love the way the players mouths are open, blowing their shiny golden instruments while the audience dance. I can imagine Motley stepping back from his easel, squinting, adding layers, trying to capture that humid energy of the jazz club. Look at the surface—the paint is applied smoothly, but there’s a dynamism in the brushstrokes that suggests movement and sound. I am sure he laboured over capturing the way the lights bounce off the instruments and the bodies of the dancers. Each brushstroke is like a note in a musical composition, building to a crescendo of colour and rhythm. What’s so beautiful about painting is the conversation between artists, each one responding to and building upon the ideas of those who came before. Each artwork becomes a meeting place for artists and viewers alike.