Sep2001 Brian Barfoot

The artwork presents a feline subject rendered in a style that blends realism with geometric abstraction. Here we see a Siamese cat depicted in profile, its form meticulously detailed with careful attention paid to fur texture and subtle tonal variations. The animals gaze is directed upwards and slightly off-center, conveying an impression of alertness or perhaps contemplation. Its eyes are particularly striking – vivid green pools that draw the viewer’s focus.
The background is composed of a series of rectangular blocks in varying shades of red. These shapes are arranged seemingly at random, yet they create a dynamic visual field that contrasts sharply with the naturalistic depiction of the cat. The geometric forms appear to both contain and disrupt the animals presence, suggesting a tension between the organic and the constructed.
The color palette is limited but impactful. The dominance of red evokes feelings of intensity, passion, or even warning. Juxtaposed against the cool tones of the cat’s fur – primarily white with dark points – the effect is visually arresting. This contrast also highlights the animals form, making it appear to float within the abstract background.
The artist’s signature appears in the lower right corner, rendered in a delicate script that provides a humanizing touch amidst the formal elements. The overall composition suggests an exploration of duality – the natural versus the artificial, the familiar versus the unfamiliar – and invites reflection on the relationship between representation and abstraction. It is possible to interpret this as a commentary on how we perceive and categorize the world around us, imposing structure onto what might otherwise be perceived as chaotic or random.