Richard Hambleton’s Standing Shadow - Yellow & Red (2018) is another compelling piece from his renowned Shadowman series, continuing his exploration of the ghostly, enigmatic figures that became his artistic signature. This work, printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag, preserves the rich texture and depth of Hambleton’s original painted works, which were often created in the streets of New York during the 1980s.

Unlike the deep blues or blacks commonly associated with his Shadowman figures, the use of yellow and red in this piece adds a fiery, almost aggressive intensity. The contrast between the colors evokes a sense of heat, urgency, and movement, making the figure feel even more alive—almost as if it’s emerging from flames or light. The dynamic brushstrokes and splattered edges heighten the raw energy of the composition, reinforcing themes of impermanence, anonymity, and the fleeting nature of human presence.

Hambleton’s work has always played with the idea of fear and surprise, using shadowy, faceless figures to evoke a sense of the unknown. Standing Shadow - Yellow & Red continues this legacy, embodying both the artist’s street-art roots and his ability to create psychologically charged imagery that lingers in the viewer’s mind.