Gabriela Pirošková 2015

Gazmend Freitag created this portrait of Gabriela Pirošková in 2015 using graphite and colored pencil on paper. The casualness and open nature of drawing allow Freitag to create an image that feels very immediate and raw, contrasting with the time it must have taken to create it. The overlapping of linear marks and distinct blocks of color is particularly interesting, with red, green, and grey lines contouring Gabriela’s figure, conveying not just shape but also volume. Although the artist is unknown to me, I can appreciate the labor of the hand and the amount of time Freitag devoted to producing this image. It's a process-intensive medium, requiring careful attention and focus. The choice of materials and the style of execution really invite us to think about the wider artistic and cultural context in which this drawing was made. By valuing materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's significance.