RSA Scottish Art

Lamp

Small web image of LampArtist: Jack Knox
Title: Lamp
Year: 1980
Medium: oil on board
Dimensions:
Suggested topic:
Source: RSA
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Description: Jack (John) Knox became Head of Painting at Glasgow School of Art in 1981. Now retired, he devotes his time to his painting. Throughout his career, Jack Knox has used still life subjects as the basis for much of his work. In the 1970s he experimented with PVA and paint on large canvasses but this small work shows a return to the traditional medium of oil paint. In a simple composition it celebrates the warm, glowing colours of a flame and the rich textures of thickly applied or impasto paint. You can see clearly the raised surfaces of glossy paint which catch the light. The composition of this painting, although apparently simple, has a few features worth reflecting on. The central vertical pillar of the candle divides the picture into three long, thin columns that are more or less equal in size. Rather than showing the effects of light radiating in a realistic manner from the candle flame, Knox has used bright strokes that indicate symbolically how the light moves. This is reminiscent of how a cartoonist might show light radiating from a light bulb. Another interesting feature is the dark shadow cast by the candle. In reality a candle would not cast a shadow like this from its own light but would need to be illuminated by another light. This creates a slightly mystical feel to the painting. Candles are often used for celebrations or sombre occasions often with religious overtones. However, the overall mood of the painting is quite joyful, even though the palette is mostly composed of darker colours. The simplicity of a candle shining light into darkness relates to something very basic in all of us - the need for light, warmth and security. A candle is also a symbol of hope. That is perhaps what gives this painting a mysterious but serene quality.