Blair Thurman
Boatman, 2014

Neon and acrylic on canvas on wood
127 x 127 x 20.3 cm
Courtesy of Galerie Lange + Pult

Blair Thurman’s artwork Boatman is a compelling example of his distinctive approach to blending minimalism with pop culture and industrial design motifs. The piece, with its witty title and metaphorical depth, showcases Thurman’s ability to transform everyday objects into minimalist icons that provoke a reevaluation of familiar concepts.

In Boatman, Thurman subtly pays homage to Odilon Redon’s fascination with the moon, a symbol that frequently appears in Redon’s work, representing dreams, the unconscious, and the enigmatic forces of the universe. Redon often depicted the moon as a glowing, ethereal presence, inviting viewers to explore realms of introspection and wonder. Thurman draws upon this symbolic imagery by reducing the form to its most essential elements, capturing the mystique of Redon’s moon while reimagining it through his own contemporary, minimalist perspective.