Description
“Silhouettes” is not just a painting, but a complex study of individuality and multiplicity. As described by the artist, it draws from a previous work titled “Sunday Guy,” and delves deeper into the exploration of identity within the Great Unmasking Series. Each line and shape within this fiery tableau is composed of countless silhouettes of faces, all seen in profile. These hundreds of tiny, individual profiles join to create the larger image, suggesting that a single entity is the sum of many parts.
The duality within each silhouette is significant, as every profile has two aspects: one illuminated and one shadowed, each layer echoing the minute facial features. This dual nature speaks to the complexity of the self, the visible and hidden sides of personality, and the layered nature of human existence. The artist likens these myriad components to the screws, bolts, and cogwheels of a vast machine—each essential, and all contributing to the function of the whole.
When viewed from a distance, “Silhouettes” presents a simpler image; it’s only upon closer inspection that the intricate details and the sheer number of individual elements become apparent. This process of stepping back to avoid overwhelming introspection mirrors the way we often simplify our view of ourselves to avoid the discomfort of too closely examining the multitude of components that define us.
The artist’s reflection on the painting’s reception during an exhibition at the House of Decentralisation in Kiev reveals its emotional impact. The proximity to “Silhouettes” evoked strong reactions, with some finding it distressing. This is perhaps due to the painting’s intense examination of the self, and its representation of the many facets of identity which can be confronting. The visceral response it elicited, spanning the extremes of emotion, underscores the power of art to affect viewers deeply and personally.
Thus, “Silhouettes” stands as a metaphorical expression of the inner workings of the psyche, an artistic rendering of the self that is both a singular image and a composite of innumerable parts. It challenges viewers to consider their own multiplicities and the layers that they present to the world, as well as those they keep hidden within.
Title : Silhouettes
Type : Oil on canvas
Size : 100 * 100 cm
Year : 2016
