Two Pacers Alex Colville

The canvas presents a disconcerting scene centered around two equine figures engaged in locomotion. The foreground is dominated by these creatures, rendered in contrasting hues – one a muted grey-blue and the other a vibrant ochre. Each horse possesses an unusual anatomy; the orange specimen exhibits an elongated neck and what appears to be a bicycle wheel integrated into its lower body, disrupting any semblance of natural form. The grey horse mirrors this distortion with a similar mechanical addition.
The ground plane is depicted as a flat expanse of reddish-brown, extending towards a distant horizon line where it meets a pale blue sky. This stark simplicity emphasizes the unnatural quality of the central figures. A solitary human figure stands in the distance on the left side of the composition, appearing small and detached from the unfolding spectacle. His posture suggests observation rather than participation, further isolating the mechanical horses within their peculiar environment.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of mechanization and the disruption of natural order. The integration of bicycle wheels into the horses bodies implies a forced imposition of technology onto organic life, suggesting a commentary on industrial progress and its potential to alienate or deform nature. The color contrast between the two animals might symbolize opposing forces – perhaps tradition versus innovation, or even a duality within the concept of progress itself.
The distant figure’s isolation reinforces this sense of detachment; he is an observer of a process that seems beyond his control or comprehension. The overall effect is one of unsettling surrealism, prompting reflection on humanitys relationship with technology and the potential consequences of its unchecked advancement. The lack of detail in the background contributes to a dreamlike quality, enhancing the feeling of displacement and questioning the reality presented.