Lot 219: RANDY SOLON

RANDY SOLON B. 1971 PRAY OR PREY SIGNED AND DATED 11 LOWER LEFT OIL ON CANVAS, IN 42 PARTS each: 20 by 20 cm.; 8 by 8 in. (17), 61 by 41 cm.; 24 by 16 in. (16), 61 by 20 cm.; 24 by 7 3/4 in. (3), 40.5 by 40.5 cm.; 15 3/4 by 15 3/4 in. (2), 81 by 40.5 cm.; 31 3/4 by 16 in. (4) (42) overall: 182.8 by 365.7 cm.; 71 1/2 by 143 1/2 in.

In his most recent work, Randy Solon creates another perplexing visual spectrum in the mode of his interlocking puzzle pieces. Pray or Prey examines the grand duality of things, putting together both contrasting and conjoined images into a much larger whole. Drawing attention to Herbert Spencer's survival of the fittest (synonymous to Darwin's idea of natural selection), we recognize that we are either predator or prey. The prey being the weaker, has no choice but to be victimized by the fitter and is left to the slim chances of fate to survive. This is where the artist's wordplay enters: we are all prey to larger predators, but with the power of faith and prayers, we are given more odds for the brief continuity of existence. The artist's use of animals mirrors that of us humans, because their methods of conflict and entrapment are similar, just more primal and uncivilized. In a world ruthlessly planted with danger and deception, the only instrument that we can rely upon is faith.

Solon explains that the concept of yin and yang is very prevalent in his work, both in concept and visual execution. Known for playing with the endless possibilities of light and how it renders flatness and dimension, he now adds the element of darkness. When faced with linear forms, a flat black space gives a very strong appearance, and is quite a challenge to balance aesthetically in terms of composition. This level of contrast provides a day-night ambiguity to the painting, giving it the illusion of bestial movement. This further transports its viewers into the jungle, where animals lurk and scream like lost children. A large number of predatory hunters stalk their victims at night, but white animal outlines atop a dark field of black demonstrate how transparent they can appear to their stalkers.

This painting not only depicts the presence of equilibrium in the order of living things, but also the strong possibility of hope and divine guidance, even in the darkest hour when fear comes to strike us down.