Lila and the Raven
/Kathryn Freeman
2012
American
Oil on panel
Gift of the artist, made possible by Harmon-Meek Gallery
Florida Southern College Permanent Collection FP.2017.10
Lila and the Raven is a puzzle of a work that seems to carry the themes of adolescence and American suburbia to newly ominous levels. Both psychologically dense — just look at the comportment of our presumed title character standing at center — and defiantly banal — this could be any street anywhere — the painting demands the investment of you, its viewer. This is not a work of art merely to be admired for its use of color or the skill of its artist; the experience of this painting is built conditionally on the part you must play to solve its riddle. There is a story here, however unspecified, that cries for narration. And note the title: why is only one “raven” singled out in the name of the painting when the scene replete with numerous ravens?