In We Tumble and Fall (2022), James Rielly immerses viewers into a vibrant, almost chaotic composition of colorful circles surrounding a pair of floating eyes. The watercolor on paper, measuring 29 7/8 x 22 7/8 inches (76 x 58 cm), brings together Rielly’s signature use of disembodied body parts with playful, yet disorienting forms that evoke movement, fragility, and the precariousness of existence.

The multitude of circles, rendered in bright and contrasting hues, suggests a sense of tumbling or free-fall, mirroring the work’s title. The eyes, often a recurring motif in Rielly’s oeuvre, float amidst the colorful array, hinting at a conscious observer trapped within the whirl of vibrant shapes. The effect is both playful and unsettling, as the viewer is drawn into the seemingly joyful composition only to be met with a gaze that suggests something deeper—perhaps vulnerability, loss of control, or confusion.

The bright palette and abstract shapes harken back to modernist tendencies, particularly the works of Sonia Delaunay and the Orphism movement, where color and form were used to create rhythm and emotion. Yet, Rielly introduces an element of surrealism, reminiscent of artists like Joan Miró, whose work similarly blended abstraction with whimsical, dreamlike elements.

We Tumble and Fall continues Rielly’s exploration of the human condition, balancing between humor and unease. The chaotic circles represent the unpredictability of life, while the eyes anchor the composition, drawing the viewer into an ambiguous narrative. Rielly’s work here invites contemplation on how we navigate life’s uncertainties and challenges, with color and form serving as both playful and poignant markers of this journey.