(2011) Scratchboard
Exhibitions
Blog Categories
Contact
Clay Rodery: Recession Blues
This entry was posted in Op Ed Illustration and tagged Art, Blues, Illustration, Love, Marriage, Op Ed Illustration, Recession, Scratchboard, USA. Bookmark the permalink.
My Critique (for what its worth);
I think this is a very powerful piece. The rugged lines and intense shadows that makeup his shirt, his shoulders and hands really speaks to the types of things we all feel right now, and that is how much weight we feel pressing down on our shoulders in this economy The greatest amount of “light” in this piece is concentrated in the neck/shoulder area as well as from the door, while their faces are encapsulated in shadows. Here, their expressions are not the focus; its the strain this life has caused. I don’t know of anyone working in America right now who can’t relate to that.
I also find this piece to be powerful because it leaves the meaning of the woman standing at the door open, depending on the perspective of the viewer. If you have recently experienced a breakup, you might think she’s leaving for good. If you have recently lost a job, perhaps she is leaving for work while he has to remain home. Maybe she is encouraging him to come with her, but he feels the weight of existence is so heavy right now that he can’t move. All are possible, yet none are specified and that affords the viewer to impress upon the picture their own views and feelings depending on their own situations.
Clay is an amazing artist and his work continues to be powerful and moving. I look forward to what he’ll bring us next!
I always thoroughly enjoy his scratchboard work. It’s hard work, and watching his process evolve over the years has always been something inspiring to me.
The smoke trail alone is enough for me to be amazed.