waters are calm and still behind them , but their child ’ s sideways glance reveals an eerie sense of foreshadowing . There is no guarantee that “ the good old days ” will remain , or that the sea will always be so generous . The pendulum swings both ways .
Bartlett ’ s work — in all its anticipation and apprehension — is still nostalgic ; it somehow reminds us of the thoroughly American childhood some of us have never had , like the pile of leaves we never jumped into or the calm summer days we never truly enjoyed . It reminds us of the optimism that is embedded in our cultural fabric and the sadness that accompanies it . What remains when a canvas is fl ooded with water and a murky , ambiguous sky , its only inhabitant rowing against a colossal wave ? In Lifeboat , the pendulum swings back and the rower has little choice but to push forward . Though a wedding band hangs on a chain around his neck , his will is his sole companion .
Is this who we really are ? Stripped of all comfort , are we only as good as our will , our vulnerabilities , and our strength to bear it all ? Poignantly alone , tragically determined , Bartlett ’ s everyman is not universal to everyone who inhabits this country , but he refl ects pieces of an America that could have been . He leaves these pieces for you to string together — make of them what you will .
Orlando Arts & Culture , v . 2.3
Bo Bartlett : American Artist will be on display until May 5 at the Mennello
900 E . Princeton St ., Orlando , FL 32832
Photos by Mariana Mora
You can see more at : MennelloMuseum . org
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