WithHerSuitcaseAndTippetSecureOnTheDish Leo & Diane Dillon

Here we observe a fantastical scene rendered with meticulous detail and a dreamlike quality. A figure, clad in what appears to be a formal military-style coat and cap, is depicted riding atop a colossal fish that resembles a pickled cucumber. The composition immediately establishes an unsettling juxtaposition of the mundane and the surreal.
The figure’s posture suggests both authority and bewilderment; they grip a complex apparatus – perhaps some form of navigational instrument or scientific device – with a determined expression, yet their gaze is directed downwards, as if observing the improbable mode of transport beneath them. The coats dark color contrasts with the pale complexion visible at the neck, hinting at an underlying vulnerability despite the outward display of formality.
The fish-cucumber hybrid dominates the visual field. Its scale and form are exaggerated to a comical degree, yet its rendering is surprisingly realistic, complete with detailed textures and shading that mimic both aquatic life and preserved produce. This combination generates a sense of absurdity while simultaneously maintaining a level of believability within the painting’s internal logic.
The background presents a landscape bathed in an ethereal purple light, punctuated by a large, luminous orb – likely intended to represent the moon. A distant cityscape is visible on the horizon, rendered with a degree of precision that contrasts sharply with the fantastical elements in the foreground. This juxtaposition suggests a connection between the extraordinary journey and a recognizable world, implying that even the most improbable events may have roots in reality.
The ornate frame surrounding the scene further emphasizes its artificiality and theatrical nature. The gilded details and sculptural embellishments elevate the image to the status of a spectacle, reinforcing the sense that we are witnessing something staged or symbolic rather than a straightforward depiction of reality.
Subtextually, the painting seems to explore themes of displacement, ambition, and the search for meaning in an absurd world. The figure’s journey – carried by such an unlikely vehicle – could be interpreted as a metaphor for navigating lifes challenges with unconventional methods or embracing the unexpected. The juxtaposition of formality and absurdity suggests a critique of societal structures and expectations, while the distant cityscape hints at a longing for connection and belonging in a vast and indifferent universe. Ultimately, the work invites viewers to question the nature of reality and the boundaries between logic and imagination.