The artwork “Daydreams” by Philip Guston, created in 1970, is a notable piece within the Neo-Expressionism movement. The genre of this artwork is figurative, reflecting Guston’s distinct style that combines introspective themes with bold, almost cartoonish figures.
The artwork features a central image of a pink, cartoon-like hand with extended fingers holding a small cylindrical object, possibly a cigarette, with curls of smoke rising from it. Beneath this, a white cloth with black dotted lines covers part of the composition, contributing to a sense of casual realism. To the right of the hand is a loosely sketched cloud or thought bubble filled with red and black lined objects resembling everyday items such as shoes and boxes, possibly representing a stream of consciousness or daydreams. The background is predominantly a pale, almost pastel color, offset by a wooden floor in a rich brown hue at the bottom of the artwork. This visually stimulating piece encapsulates the essence of Neo-Expressionism through its raw, emotional presentation and vivid imagery.
