Pensive

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on December 8, 2020 at 3:01pm

Curator's Comments:

 

Pensive attracted my attention today, having just come up randomly on the site.  I find it noteworthy that the contemplative gesture of the subject is combined with a vivid use of saturated red and orange hues, as it appears an intense emotional state is contained within the brooding figure.  The muscular handling of the body, with heavy black contours also contrasts the more sensitive handling of the head cradled in the model’s hand. These visual tensions set up an interesting friction in what could otherwise be viewed as a purely academic work. The oil pastel figure drawings, while quite painterly in gesture, seem separate from the oil paintings which employ more complex figure-ground relationships within an impasto surface. The traditional model poses and superfluities such as prop pillows give way to celestial bodies and storied associations in the narrative paintings. I wonder if the first few images function as studies for the later pieces, or if they function as separate endeavors in your art practice.  Either way, I enjoy all of your work, and look forward to you posting new pieces on the site.