Two Artists that adress the theme of identity.
Identity has always been a widely used concept and basis for works of art. In a way, any work of art can be addressed as relating to the topic of ‘identity’ as that work is the identity of the artist. This essay will explore the works of Lui Ferreyra and Pablo Picasso, comparing and contrasting both their movements, styles and how the theme of identity is apparent in much of their work.
Lui Ferreyra’s range of work looks at both portraiture and landscapes in a very structural way. The piece I have shown is entitled ‘Vision.’ It is painted in oils, at the scale of 48” x 60” and is my favourite work of his. The young man is gazing into the distance almost in a dream-like state and it has quite a photographic element to it. From afar it looks as though it is indeed a photograph, but as one looks closer the small detail of each hand painted block is evident. This use of blocking out shapes to create a person’s identity is something that I find very fascinating. The styling of this piece really plays with the viewers mind and engages their own ‘vision’ in unique ways. The appearance of the man changes and is effected by both the distance you view this piece and through squinting too. When squinting, the viewer sees a much more soft, rounded and life-like face compared to the sharp blocks that fit together, making up the portrait when viewed in full eyesight and light.
Ferreyra describes his signature style as ‘fragmentism’ I think that this is true as much of his work surrounds the concept of broken up, shattered shapes, almost like glass. His own representation of people and their identity is created through the angular blocking of his portraits, in a way he is passing on his own perception of others. Everyone is unique and the ‘structure’ of their face determines their identity and individuality as a human being.
The piece of Picasso’s that I am looking at is entitled ‘Weeping Woman.’ Painted over 70 years before Ferreyra, whose work was completed in 2007, both works still involve a strong use of angular shapes to portray their subjects. The brush strokes of Picasso and Ferreyra, to me, represent their own identity as artists and are something that belong solely to them. The way in which an artist can apply paint on to any surface in a unique way creates and gives them independence and identity later developing in to their own signature style.
In this case both artists, although portraying similar sharp angles and blocks of colour use their media in very different ways. Picasso’s marks are a lot less smooth, re-enforcing the sense of grief and sorrow. On the other hand, Ferreyras lines and colour quality are almost faultless. It is hard to believe that ‘Vision’ is indeed hand-painted in oils; the accuracy and sharpness makes it appear at first glance to be a type of print. Both pieces I think have equal impact, but for different reasons. Picasso’s focuses much more on engaging with the viewer’s emotion through his extraordinary representation of this woman’s grief in his painting; 1. ‘This is a study of how much pain can be communicated by a human face.’ Ferreyra’s piece on the other hand has a sense of mystery and contemplation about it. The face and emotion of the man in the portrait give off a neither happy nor sad feeling. Both portraits relate to the theme of identity in a way that the type of emotion is identified through the use of line and colour against the expression of the person within it.
The clashing choice of colours in ‘Weeping Woman’ emphasizes the sharpness and enveloping emotion of the painting. Unlike a smooth combination of tones and blending colours that some painters strive for, Picasso’s style is to block out shapes and line with solid shades, which in turn affects the way in which we view such a piece; 2. ‘The woman appears almost literally ‘broken up’ with grief.’ The positioning of the handkerchief in front of the woman’s face suggests a slight nervous disposition and is almost a way of concealing her own identity.
Overall, both paintings leave a very impacting impression on the viewer, addressing the theme of identity in different ways. The subject matter in this case is portraiture for both pieces, yet the way in which their features and facial structure are represented are very contrasting.
1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2000/may/13/art
2. http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgroupid=-1&workid=11871&searchid=16919&roomid=false&tabview=text&texttype=9
NAME: GALI LUCAS
TUTOR: HAYLEY LOCK
CONTEXTUAL STUDIES 3
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