In Holes in the Sky (2022), James Rielly once again explores the tension between humor and melancholy, presenting a deeply symbolic and surreal scene. The watercolor on paper, measuring 29 7/8 x 22 7/8 inches (76 x 58 cm), features a pair of eyes floating above a rich blue background, shedding colorful teardrops, each one adorned with subtle smiling faces.

Rielly’s characteristic use of minimal, childlike forms contrasts with the emotionally complex content. The eyes appear detached, gazing outward yet disconnected, evoking a sense of vulnerability. The teardrops, with their soft pastel hues and small faces, embody a paradoxical blend of sorrow and subtle joy, mirroring Rielly’s recurring theme of ambiguous emotional states. Like Tears of Joy (2023), this work blurs the boundaries between seemingly opposing feelings, suggesting that sadness and humor can coexist, or even stem from the same experience.

Art historically, the reference to floating eyes may remind viewers of Surrealist motifs, particularly those seen in the works of René Magritte, where body parts are often displaced or take on new symbolic meanings. The teardrops, however, with their softly smiling faces, are distinctly Rielly, adding his own personal narrative to the broader conversation on human emotion. The blue background, reminiscent of Yves Klein’s intense use of color, also plays a vital role, grounding the composition in a contemplative, dreamlike atmosphere.

In Holes in the Sky, Rielly skillfully transforms the simple act of crying into a surreal and poignant visual experience, encouraging the viewer to question the nature of human emotion and perception. This piece, like much of Rielly’s work, creates a sense of ambiguity, leaving room for introspection and multiple interpretations.