Bb 0014 Judiciously jumped over jam Steve&MarionIsham sqs Steve& Marion Isham

The drawing presents a densely populated scene, rendered in vibrant color and exhibiting a surreal quality. A central figure, a young man with reddish-brown hair, is positioned slightly off-center, his back prominently displayed. This back bears a striking tattoo depicting a small, dark figure seemingly dancing or leaping amidst circular forms – a motif that recurs throughout the composition. He wears a bright red shirt and patterned trousers featuring botanical imagery interwoven with geometric shapes. The man appears to be interacting with a child seated at a table laden with what appear to be crackers.
The setting is ambiguous but suggests an outdoor market or gathering space. A large vehicle, possibly a camper van, dominates the background, its roof adorned with a leopard print fabric. Several other individuals populate the scene: one figure in athletic attire stands near the van; another, partially obscured, seems to observe from behind a counter displaying jars of preserves. The presence of these figures contributes to the sense of crowdedness and an almost theatrical staging.
A small dog is positioned at the lower edge of the drawing, sniffing at a spilled jar of what appears to be jam or fruit preserve. This detail introduces a note of domesticity and perhaps a touch of chaos into the otherwise meticulously constructed scene. A word jazz is written on a banner above the counter.
The overall effect is one of deliberate artifice. The bright, saturated colors and exaggerated forms contribute to a dreamlike atmosphere. The recurring motif of the dancing figure on the man’s back suggests themes of performance, identity, or perhaps even an internal struggle being played out in public view. The juxtaposition of seemingly disparate elements – the leopard print fabric, the preserves, the botanical patterns on the trousers, and the small dog – creates a sense of playful absurdity that challenges straightforward interpretation. It is likely that the work intends to evoke a feeling of disorientation rather than convey a specific narrative.