SL447 2021

In SL447, Jude Rae brings often-overlooked objects (including a fire hydrant and gas cannister) to the forefront for our consideration, elevating leaden, industrial vessels to objects of interest. Unlike the assemblies of flora and fauna often associated with traditional still lifes, these unconventional subject choices capture the dual nature of their intended purpose — eternal stasis or explosive action. By using oil on linen, Rae highlights the subtle irregularities of the painting’s surface, enhancing its tactile feel and interrupting the illusion of realism by drawing attention to the artist’s hand in the work.