Rodeo 2005

Richard Hambleton made this energetic painting of a rodeo scene in black and white paint, probably quite quickly, judging by the drips and spatters. The paint is applied in broad strokes and flicks, particularly noticeable in the horse's mane and tail, giving a real sense of movement and wildness. You can almost feel the bucking and kicking. Look closely at the way Hambleton builds up the figures; the white paint is thick in some areas, almost sculptural, while in others, it's thin and transparent, allowing the black background to show through. This contrast adds to the drama and immediacy of the piece. There's something about the rawness of Hambleton's style that reminds me of early Willem de Kooning, that same willingness to embrace messiness and chance. Like de Kooning, Hambleton isn't afraid to let the paint do its thing, to let the process become part of the image. And that's what makes this painting so exciting – it's a record of a performance, a moment of pure energy captured on canvas.