RSA Scottish Art
Lament
 | Artist: Robin Philipson |
| Title: Lament | |
| Year: 1971 | |
| Medium: oil with mixed media on canvas | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA Diploma Collection | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| © the artist’s family | |
| Description: Robin Philipson worked on many themes including such diverse subjects as cathedrals or fighting birds, often explored in quite radical and abstract ways. Lament is, at first glance, more abstract than many of Philipson's paintings. The large canvas is divided vertically into blocks of intense and contrasting colours. Yet within these areas subtle images can be detected; for example, flags being waved in a demonstration, the inside of a dark prison cell and an empty window - suggestive perhaps of a defeat in battle or a sense of mourning. The top section may represent sky, as though the viewer is underground or looking across at a tall building which resembles a cathedral. A lament is a sad poem or piece of music. What could this painting be lamenting? Could it be war or imprisonment? Why are there such bright cheerful colours if the painting is called Lament? The grid-like composition is irregular but quite rigid. There are few flowing lines or curves within this image. Bands and columns lead the eye from one box to another which feels a little claustrophobic and limiting; but it is quite like a storyboard in that each section has its own story to tell. This painting could be partly about imprisonment so it is very appropriate that the composition has an enclosed restricted mood. The surface of this image is overlaid, with scratched and scuffed layers of paint. The central band of browns and dark tones is very powerful when set against the very bright colours of the bottom panel. This contrast is startling - are these bright hues there to draw attention to the darkness around them? Or do these colours have a symbolic meaning - could they represent the coloured silk stripes of military medals for example? Sometimes artists leave us with more questions than answers. | |
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