These two men are moving something. It looks like a board covered by a white piece of cloth. Is it a name board of a shop? Maybe not. Because we don't usually need that level of secrecy for a shop name board, in contrast, people who run a shop would love to spread the name as widely as possible. So, under the fabric cover, there must be something that they don't want us to know. Something bad or something true? Who knows.
Look at their outfits. Quite neat and proper. The man in the left hand side seems to be in his late 20s, good manners, even looks handsome from that gesture-you know that kind of good looking young men with wide shoulder, straight back and lean arms. He is wearing an apron. I guess he could be a new staff or an apprentice.
The another man, in his 50s maybe. He is wearing a suit, doesn't look sharp though. What is the relationship between them? Co-workers? Boss and staff? Definitely not father and son, I don't see many sons and dads well co-operate this way. In my point of view, they are possibly senior and junior in a team or an organization.
Now, the most important detail of the painting-their heads. Do you see that? Of course you do. It's so obvious. Surely, their heads are the first thing that catch you attention. Do you have the same question as me and my sister: Why pig heads? The two seem-very-decent men with pig heads. Interesting. What is the meaning behind this? Let's have a closer look at their faces. The young pig-man is looking at his partner while his partner is facing to the audience but his eyes are not looking straight forward; where are they wandering to? Both of them are smiling. Do you like their smiles? Do you feel warm and cozy and safe if some one smiles at you that way, especially the smile of the elder one? To me, it looks more like a half smile or a smirk.
I still have no clues at all about the artist's message when she/he puts 2 pig heads on the men. The only thing relevant I can recall is the book "The animal Farm" by George Orwell. If you have read the book, I hope you are willing to discuss with me about this point. In case you haven't, the pigs in Orwell's book are an indication of politicians or rule makers. They have done a very clever job of misleading people. Does this clink with the covered board? Does this make you think about sometimes there are some ones that look so trustworthy but you don't feel right trusting them?
I keep thinking and thinking about this. We are in the busiest era ever of exploding information that even some times not allow us a few minutes to verify what we are listening to. But we need to make time for it, to make clear what they are telling you or at least to make clear how you feel about that.
After letting my mind ruminate and my eyes scrutinize in every detail of this painting. I would love to know the name of this piece of art. It could be one way to decipher the artist's message. And it's named: Carrying the Plane.
Makes sense!
That is my personal view that I want to share to you. I would love to hear from you if you have any ideas about it. Because when it comes to art, I believe, there is never a fully understanding, all we have are feelings, and they are different from people to people.
P/s: The Painting is created by Ken Sando, displayed at Creative Arts Napier.