A20 Kissing Time Beryl Cook

The composition presents a tightly grouped cluster of figures within a shallow pictorial space. Three individuals dominate the scene: two women and a man, engaged in what appears to be a kiss. The man is positioned centrally, his face pressed against that of one woman while he holds a glass aloft. The second woman stands adjacent to him, her arm draped possessively around his shoulders.
The artist employs an exaggerated style; the figures are rendered with simplified forms and enlarged features, contributing to a sense of caricature. Their expressions are somewhat ambiguous – the man’s face is obscured by the kiss, while the women display what could be interpreted as amusement or perhaps a detached observation. The woman on the left holds a cigarette, adding an element of nonchalance to her posture.
The color palette is bold and saturated, with deep blues and blacks contrasting against warmer tones in the figures’ hair and skin. The use of fishnet stockings and high-heeled shoes on both women suggests a deliberate emphasis on sexuality and perhaps a commentary on female presentation.
Subtleties within the work hint at layers of meaning beyond the immediate depiction of intimacy. The exaggerated proportions and stylized rendering could be read as a critique of societal norms surrounding relationships, beauty standards, or gender roles. The man’s position between the two women introduces an element of ambiguity regarding power dynamics and desire. The overall effect is one of playful provocation, inviting viewers to question conventional notions of romance and social interaction while maintaining a certain distance through its stylized aesthetic.