Art and life are inextricably connected within Bak’s painted world. A bare tree is split in two, torn between the physical universe and a painted one. The tree is often a symbol of family lineage, life, and growth, while the split trunk suggests a disruption to those ideals.
The tree is tethered to a canvas, both visually, with a painted blue exterior, and literally with a piece of red string. The canvas balances precariously on the edge of a cliff, battered by the natural elements. Feeble attempts to repair the wounded canvas are made with tape and red string.
The forlorn artists sit on the edge of a pile of wreckage, clutching his bag. Perhaps the artist seeks to reconnect the split tree, thus bringing together elements of a broken world. Does art have the ability to make such repairs?
Although Bak doesn’t provide explicit answers, there is hope in the form of the bird (often a symbol of rebirth) perched on the edge of the canvas. A live tree trunk grows within the battered canvas, suggesting that the artist at least has the power to provide a foundation for new beginnings.
Lilly Harvey (Guest writer)
BAK a Day, March 27, 2023
--------------------------------------
When is a bird a bird?
The collage-like bird flying off the canvas sets the palette for the entire painting.
The bird perched atop the canvas seems to observe this strange and yet beautiful scene.
The figure embraces his backpack as he curls up next to this painting.
His shoe is off as if he is on holy ground and the tree is decorated with colors to work with the painted collage. An ensemble of fragments and sections.
The frayed edges of the back of the stretcher could suggest a lurking figure?
Contribute
You are in possession of valuable information about this artwork and want it published on the website in the catalogue raisonné?
Please write to us:
.jpg)
Contribute
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest