“Cock-Eyed” by Jack Stricker

Written by Charity Lantz

At Thumbprint Gallery the peacock is symbolic of urban attitude. Elsewhere, peacocks are most often symbolic of immortality, especially in ancient Asian religions. Peacocks are also heavily referenced throughout the Christian religion and often included in the portion of the Bible on Armageddon. Peacocks are also strongly symbolic of grace, pride, and beauty. In Jack Stricker’s “Cock-Eyed,” all of these preexisting associations with peacocks are confronted, but yet stilled portrayed in further observation. This rebellion to tradition, “Cock-Eyed,” is on display at Thumbprint Gallery in Stricker’s solo show, “Quality Control.”

“Cock-Eyed” is made with acrylic and spraypaint on a 4ft x 4ft canvas. The sheer size immediately makes this artwork stand out, drawing our eyes to the enormous peacock looming off the wall. Stricker’s choice of color is almost psychedelic, which tends to suck the viewer further in. The peacock’s glare is perfectly eye level with the viewer, creating again that momentary questioning bond. All of these qualities seem to confirm original associations with the image of a peacock.

The peacock’s feathers are splayed in an utmost defense or show position. In nature, the peacock only raises his tail for two reasons: to scare of attackers and to attract a mate, two contrasting ideas of repelling and attracting. The displaying position strongly recalls ideas of pride and beauty. The peacock’s beauty is clearly evident in the displaying of its feathers, which are known to be vastly colorful and flowing. Yet, Stricker’s peacock’s feathers are oddly translucent, a faint pink glow, which allows the feathers to take on the detailed print in the background. The artist spraypainted a bronze lacey pattern in the background, which gradates, creating a sense of depth and space in the work. Even the lace in the work has connotations of grace and poise.  

Initially the colors and sematic components draw the viewer in with ideas of grace, beauty, and pride, however the actual overall result is the viewer feeling confrontation while also in a state of mystification. The peacock is depicted in a stylized manner, which is reminiscent of graffiti in urban streets. This strongly contrasts with the spindling lace and notions of beauty and fluidity. The peacock’s stare is piercing and questioning, his stance aggressive and unnerving. It is interesting to imagine being confronted with the notion or opportunity of immortality. However, in the end, “talking” about a work is always relative; it is often more profound “seeing” an artwork in reality in its actual context, which for this piece lies at Thumbprint Gallery.

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