Strangled (2026) Original Oil Painting by Jonathan McAfee

Completed in early 2026 after a six-month evolution, Strangled is a vibrant, multi-media exploration of the tension between classical tradition and contemporary chaos.

At the heart of the composition is a beautifully rendered equine figure, painted in rich, traditional oils. This symbol of grace and power is juxtaposed against a raw, "street-aesthetic" environment built from layers of neon spray paint, gestural pastels, and graphic acrylic patterns. The title, Strangled, speaks to a sense of restricted potential—visualized by the tight red halter and the hovering, ghost-like equine heads that suggest a fragmentation of spirit.

The piece is grounded by a trio of burning candles, lending a ritualistic or memorial quality to the work. This contrast of the "sacred" (the candles and the horse) against the "profane" (the checkered patterns and aggressive red scrawls) creates a visual friction that defines the piece.


Dimensions: 36 x 36 x 1.5 in (Size including frame: 36.5 x 36.5 in)

Materials used:

oil, acrylic & pastel

Details:

• Oil painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 93.98 x 93.98 x 7.62cm (framed) / 91.44 x 91.44cm (actual image size)
• Framed and ready to hang
• Signed on the back
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: Animals and birds