"289"
This painting is about a memory of a place and a person. It was right after making a big move and I thought about the things and the people who I would miss. This person lived in a house that was house number 289 and the memories of being there for shows and parties with people who I loved were very valuable to me. They moved me past a lot of things because the memories are living, those good times are always there, and I just wanted to pay tribute.
Responses (1)
July 19, 2022
Josh Niles’ "289" imparts the malleable and enigmatic concept of home. As someone who lives a rather transitory life, I relate immensely to the bitter-sweet melancholy that defines the work. For some time now, I have not lived in the same place or country for more than six months. I love and value the excitement of being in a new place but often wallow in the sadness of leaving the community and friends I met along the way. Despite the seemingly innocuous and quotidian scene, "289" powerfully conveys the sense of loss but simultaneous joy of making new friends, moving, mourning, and relishing their love and companionship. While a tired truism, home is truly where the heart is, and leaving the heart behind but maintaining the memory of communal happiness is as tragic as beautiful.
- Category
- Figurative, Semi-abstract
- Type
- Painting - Unframed
- Materials
- Oil, Canvas
- Dimensions
-
18.00 inches wide
24.00 inches tall
1.50 inches deep - Weight
- 3.00 lbs
- Location
- Galesburg, IL, US
