Shark Boss | TOM KEATING

This piece (as with most of Keating’s work) portrays a sense of depression-era nostalgia, using contrasting colors (black and white over a rigid gesso-like surface) with a sepia theme, and stark figures. This is not a romanticized version of simpler times; this is a dark depiction of the complications too easily forgotten. But what keeps me from wanting to off myself–and what ultimately redeems the piece–is the caricaturization of the figure. He isn’t a true-to-life nightmare. He’s more of a dream.

Also, the firm lines in this piece are fantastic. The solid black hat and coat set against the flat brown back, separated by a definite line furthers dreamlike quality.

Links:
Tom Keating’s page