Congas Appraisal

Untitled Abstract Composition with Congas by Dale Haessly

This is an original large-scale expressionist painting on canvas, measuring approximately 100cm by 70cm, created by the artist Dale Haessly. The composition is highly complex and layered, featuring two prominent conga drums in the foreground with vertical orange and white stripes. Above the drums, a pair of large, abstracted purple mallets or drumsticks float against a chaotic, multi-tonal blue and violet background. To the right, a stylized, large face with thick teal eyebrows and a wide-set mouth is integrated into the middle ground. The bottom of the canvas depicts a social setting with several small tables, chairs, and ghost-like figures, suggesting a nightclub or cafe atmosphere. The brushwork is vigorous and impasto-heavy, particularly on the drum heads and the facial features, showing significant texture and hand-application. The palette is vibrant, utilizing a mix of cool blues and purples contrasted with warm yellows and oranges. The piece is signed 'Dale' in the lower right corner in white paint. The condition appears stable with no visible tears or excessive cracking, though the raw edges suggest it may be an unframed gallery-wrapped canvas. The style is contemporary expressionism, marked by dreamlike proportions and fluid layering of subjects.