#in 24 days tha sun'll set at 7pm

[leafyyygreensss]

Kicking n Screaming, Christina Quarles

In 24 Days tha Sun’ll Set at 7pm

2022 Acrylic on canvas

218.4 x 330.2 x 5.1 cm / 86 x 130 x 2 in

. . .

Once one steps into this gallery, this piece calls out to you. It draws you near with its expressive forms which flow as if they were ink dripping on canvas. The solid, navy background forces them into the spotlight in case their vibrant tones made up of familiar colors reminiscent of childhood was not enough. What appears to be stone pillars create a sense of depth through only the difference of length. Yet, as your eyes tread across the portrait, your mind would forget about this detail. This world immerses you so much that this madness begins to shift into reality. With the use of sparse shading and thoughtful brushstrokes, it guides us across the contours of the figures and forces our mind to fill in the blanks. Even with the intertwined and morphed subjects, it brilliantly depicts each individual form. With all of this, it is no wonder why a viewer would be in awe of this work.

For me, however, it was screaming. Not of joy nor excitement. It was twisted shrieks of anguish which chilled me to my core. My eyes affixed onto their contorted and stretched forms, the source of their torment. Without faces, their fear had no place to rest. Their final way to connect with us as the humans they once were was stripped away from them. Yet, their sense of dread still made its way to my soul. For what is more terrifying than losing oneself? On the right, the figure is spared from this physical torment. Despite having a chance to escape, they focus their energy upon one soul they could grasp onto. They could escape from the horror that they refuse to lay their eyes upon. But they make no attempt to. Perhaps the fear of solitude is too much to bear. Although it is futile, they attempt to free this soul. Is it to save this being that is slowly losing its form, or is it to save their heart from the pain of letting go and being alone for all eternity? Which ever it is, I do not want to know the outcome. This piece scares me and I had enough of it.