In Trading in Securities, Gregory Kitterle once again uses the fresco medium to create a richly textured and enigmatic landscape. The composition is filled with layered, abstract forms that seem to reference a surreal environment where organic elements interact with man-made structures. The foreground features what appears to be ropes, lines, and hanging objects, all floating in an ambiguous space, while draped white fabric adds an organic touch to the scene. These objects, delicately balanced, evoke a sense of precariousness, as though they are held together by fragile forces, perhaps reflecting the painting’s title, which hints at the unstable nature of financial systems or personal security.
Kitterle’s use of fresco gives the painting a rough, textured surface, and the play of light across the golden and blue hues adds a dramatic depth. The juxtaposition of heavy textures and the soft draped fabric recalls the work of artists like Anselm Kiefer, who similarly incorporates symbolic and historical references within his layered materiality. However, while Kiefer’s work often reflects themes of history and memory, Kitterle’s exploration seems more personal and abstract, focusing on the "specters" that rise from surface imperfections, guiding the viewer through the labyrinth of his visual world.
The title Trading in Securities adds a layer of interpretation, possibly suggesting the fragile balance between risk and stability, reflected in both the subject matter and the precarious composition. The hanging objects and rope-like structures seem to hang in a delicate equilibrium, much like the abstract concept of "securities" in financial markets. The fresco’s surface, with its irregularities and deep textures, invites the viewer to engage with the materiality of the painting, evoking a sense of uncertainty and contemplation. Through this tension, Kitterle continues his conversation with surface and form, where what appears solid and secure can quickly unravel.
