The artwork titled “Monkey Business” was created by the artist Janet Fish in 2005. It is a still life that exemplifies the Contemporary Realism art movement. This genre of work focuses on modern subjects depicted with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, often highlighting everyday scenes or objects with a sense of clarity and vividness.
The artwork itself is vibrant and rich in detail, capturing an array of objects laid upon a patterned tablecloth. Dominating the composition is a variety of fruits, such as bananas, a pineapple, and possibly an apple and peach, arranged with a sense of both abundance and careful placement. The fruits are positioned on a large, decorative blue dish that serves as a central focal point.
Amidst these edible items, there is also a variety of glassware, including a tall green pitcher with a fluid shape on the right and a sprawling, translucent red glass object in the foreground, perhaps a vase or glass sculpture, which draws the eye with its striking color and form.
The backdrop and the tablecloth are adorned with floral patterns, which add to the complexity of the scene, creating a lively and somewhat whimsical atmosphere. The interplay of light, shadow, and reflection is meticulously rendered, suggesting a deep investigation of the ways in which light interacts with different surfaces and materials.
The artwork expertly captures a moment frozen in time, while the title “Monkey Business” adds a layer of intrigue or playfulness, seemingly at odds with the serene precision of the work. The title may invite viewers to contemplate the juxtaposition of formal artistic technique with the unexpected or mischievous connotations suggested by the phrase “monkey business.”
