Painting Title Competition
Monday, September 20th, 2010
"La Confidente"
Oil Painting
© Susan Harrison-Tustain
I truly was humbled by the wonderful response to the Painting Title Competition to provide a title for my painting of the scene in New York’s SoHo Boom Bar. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Thanks to all of you who obviously gave it much thought and consideration, then wrote and submitted your wonderful title suggestions for my oil painting. I would love to have written to you all individually to thank you, but sheer numbers made that impossible.
We were thrilled to receive so many fantastic submissions! Often we hear competition judges say how difficult it has been to choose a winner. In this case it was nearly impossible to choose as the entries have been fabulous as so many of the titles would be ideal for this painting. It was particularly interesting to see how different people had interpreted the painting in different ways, bringing their own experiences and emotions to bear on its appreciation.
But I’ve had to choose one and my final choice is:
‘Confidente’ or perhaps I will make it ‘La confidente’
Submitted by Jorge Gonzalez. Congratulations Jorge!
The title is short but I think it conveys quite a lot about the scene and suggests some of the narrative taking place, without revealing too much. The girl with the beret has a French air about her, so I think the French spelling of the title is appropriate. But, there were other titles which were equally as suitable, including:
- Meet me at 7?
- SoHo Rendezvous
- I’ll Be There
- Quiet Rapport
- A Little Bit of Paris in New York
- Paris in New York
- Absent Friends
Congratulations Jorge. Thank you and well done to you. This is a major oil painting in my 2011 exhibition and will always carry this fabulous title you have submitted.
I am very aware of the importance of a title as it needs to challenge and intrigue the viewer, but also invite the viewer to interpret the painting themselves and apply their own history to it. I was thrilled to see so many submissions did exactly this. You are experts at this – so I may ask you all again to put your thinking caps on and help me search for that perfect title for future paintings I am struggling to title. It is lovely to see how you all rose to the challenge!
