“The Killing Game” is an artwork by Desmond Morris created in 1960. The piece falls within the figurative genre and is influenced by the Surrealist movement, which is known for its exploration of the unconscious mind and dream-like imagery.
The artwork features a heavily textured yellow-green background that sets a somewhat unsettling, energetic tone. Dominating the canvas are abstract shapes and figures that appear to be engaged in a chaotic scenario, hinting at the artwork’s title, “The Killing Game.” The central figure resembles a bird-like creature with a sharply pointed beak, painted in a reddish-brown hue, and appears to be in motion. The figure’s form is elegant yet ominous, with a wing-like structure that gives it a sense of life and dynamism.
Surrounding this main figure are several other abstract elements that seem to represent a mix of creatures or objects, contributing to the chaotic and surreal nature of the scene. These figures are less defined and possess various geometric qualities, characterized by lines and circular motion, suggesting rapid movement or turmoil. There are hints of anthropomorphic features, with some parts evoking heads with white, feather-like protrusions, as if the surreal figures are looking towards the central event. The inclusion of a dark sphere above the central figure could suggest an object of focus or a symbol within this dream-like narrative.
The piece exemplifies the Surrealist tendency to blur boundaries between reality and imagination, capturing the essence of a scene that feels both familiar and alien, resonant with emotional intensity and the peculiar logic of dreams.
