Borderland by Brad Blackman

Brad Blackman

Borderland, c. 2025

Acrylic On Canvas

30 x 24 x 1.5 in

$2,200

Venturing into a more bold composition, this one layers brilliant, electric blue against gold with a hot pink base beneath everything that peeks through in places. It really put me out of my comfort zone at first but there's an urgent energy just beneath the surface.

It began as a loose interpretation of a photograph of a tree reflected in water, but it evolved into something far more resonant. As the work progressed I realized it took on something of an upside-down Ukranian flag, so I named it “Borderlands,” the English meaning of "Ukraine." While it isn't the flag itself, it speaks symbolically to the resilience and hope of the Ukrainian people in the face of violence and upheaval. The hot pink underpainting, subtly visible in places, becomes a metaphor for the inner strength and vitality that refuses to be suppressed.

So, I dedicate this painting to the courage and tenacity of those who dare to defend democracy. It is a kind of visual prayer for peace, freedom, and the human spirit.