About Backyard

The painting depicts a dark, paved backyard or parking lot at night. The scene is illuminated by artificial lights, their glow reflecting off the wet asphalt, creating a shimmering, mirror-like effect on the ground. This interplay of light and water on the dark surface gives the scene a moody, atmospheric quality.

In the foreground, dominating the lower part of the composition, stands a large wooden box. Perched atop this box is the painting’s focal point: a solitary ape. The ape is positioned with its back to the viewer, creating an air of mystery and intrigue. Its head is turned, looking over its shoulder, as if it has just noticed the viewer’s presence or is warily observing something beyond the frame of the painting.

This unusual juxtaposition of elements – the urban setting, the reflective wet ground, the wooden crate, and the ape – creates a surreal and thought-provoking image. The ape’s presence in this man-made environment raises questions about the relationship between nature and urban spaces, or perhaps comments on feelings of displacement or alienation.

The overall mood of the painting is one of solitude and contemplation, with the lone ape serving as a silent, enigmatic observer of the night scene around it.

 cm x  cm
Created 2023.
Acrylic on canvas.