billboard 1922 Lawren Harris (1885-1970)

The composition presents a stark juxtaposition between industrial advertising and human labor. Here we observe a large billboard dominating the visual field, its surface rendered in bold, abstract brushstrokes of yellow, red, and blue. The design on the billboard itself is fragmented and difficult to decipher, suggesting an overwhelming and perhaps meaningless barrage of commercial messaging. A substantial wooden framework supports this expansive advertisement, emphasizing its constructed nature and imposing scale.
In the foreground, two figures are depicted engaged in what appears to be maintenance work along a railway line. One figure kneels, seemingly inspecting or repairing the tracks, while another stands observing. Their postures convey a sense of quiet diligence and anonymity within the larger industrial landscape. The workers attire – simple overalls – reinforces their role as laborers, further contrasting with the vibrant, abstract nature of the billboard’s design.
The background reveals a cluster of modest buildings, rendered in muted tones, which appear to be residential or commercial structures typical of an urban periphery. A weathered wooden fence separates these buildings from the railway line and the billboard, creating a visual barrier that underscores the separation between domestic life and the forces of industry and commerce.
The painting’s color palette is notable for its contrast: the intense hues of the billboard are set against the more subdued tones of the surrounding environment and figures. This creates a sense of visual tension, highlighting the intrusion of commercial imagery into an otherwise ordinary scene. The perspective directs the viewers gaze towards the billboard, suggesting its dominance over the landscape and the individuals within it.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of consumerism, labor, and the impact of mass media on everyday life. The anonymity of the workers, coupled with the incomprehensible nature of the advertisement, hints at a critique of modern industrial society and the potential for alienation within its systems. The billboard’s abstract design might be interpreted as symbolizing the superficiality or lack of substance often associated with advertising.