The Raising of Lazarus 2007

Chris Ofili's 'The Raising of Lazarus' is all about colour, shape and feeling. It is a world of greens, yellows, oranges, purples; a world come alive through the gestures of the paintbrush. I can imagine Chris Ofili lost in the act of painting, pushing colours around, and letting the image emerge organically. Building up the layers, I think the artist has created an environment that feels both familiar and strange. The title might suggest a biblical story but the style of painting suggests something more earthly and sensual. There is something incredibly evocative about the use of colour here. See how the green strokes form a dark grotto, or how the orange forms a canopy. The eye moves through the painting, piecing things together. Like a dream, it’s about feeling your way through. Just let go and enjoy the experience. All painting is like a conversation between artists across time, each one influencing and inspiring the next. It’s less about fixed meanings and more about opening up possibilities. It is a reminder that ambiguity and uncertainty are not weaknesses but sources of creative potential.