Untitled 2005

Editor: This is an untitled work by Vlada Ralko, made in 2005 using watercolor and ink. It's a diptych featuring two rather unsettling portraits. The loose brushstrokes and the unusual color palettes give them a very raw, almost feverish quality. How do you interpret these expressive portraits? Curator: One can examine these portraits primarily through the lens of their formal qualities. Observe the interplay between line and wash, how Ralko uses the fluidity of watercolor to create ambiguity and tension within the representational form. The stark juxtaposition of the outlined figures against the relatively blank backgrounds emphasizes their isolation. Do you notice how the color choices—the almost sickly greens and yellows—contribute to the overall sense of unease? Editor: Yes, definitely. The color palette feels very deliberate. And the figures, especially in the left panel, appear fragmented. There's a face within a face. What is that intentional dissonance meant to convey? Curator: The superimposition of facial representations creates a layered reading. It complicates the notion of identity. Notice how the artist utilizes distortion as a way to dismantle traditional portraiture. Consider, too, the raw quality of the lines. They lack refinement and precision, which adds to the overall emotional intensity. Can you perceive an affinity for Expressionist sensibilities? Editor: I see that now. The expressive brushwork definitely pushes it towards expressionism. Curator: Precisely. By focusing on the formal elements – the lines, the colours, the composition – we gain access to the emotional content the artist is exploring. These works eschew conventional beauty in favour of a stark and unflinching portrayal of the human condition. Editor: This way of dissecting the artwork, based on pure composition, certainly helped me understand it better. I was initially lost, but now I see how the artist used those design principles to achieve a unique effect. Curator: And in turn, we understand better the artist's intentions and skill.