Self-portrait in red 1980

Editor: This is Mariam Aslamazian’s "Self-portrait in Red," painted in 1980, using oil paint. I'm immediately drawn to the rich textures of the garments she is wearing. It appears she's standing in front of canvases... what is your take on this artwork? Curator: For me, this self-portrait speaks volumes about the means of production available to a female artist in 1980. Note the direct gaze, the strong posture - these are deliberate choices in depicting herself as a working artist, pushing against the grain of traditional portraiture, wouldn't you say? Editor: I agree, there is a confident assertiveness here! Are you suggesting that even the materials available to her impacted how she created and represented herself? Curator: Absolutely. Oil paint itself, and the way she applies it, connects her to a history dominated by men. Her bold application challenges that, turning a traditionally “male” medium into a statement of female labor and creativity. Think about the social context: were women being prominently displayed at this time? Editor: Not often. So, she's literally painting herself into the picture? Curator: Precisely! Furthermore, the fabric, a textile probably sourced through specific economic channels, hints at cultural exchange and consumption during that period. Do you see how she elevates this everyday material through its depiction? Editor: It's like she is merging the "high art" of portraiture with the "low art" of craft, giving value to both. I never thought of analyzing art through the lens of materials and labor. Curator: It reveals hidden layers and connects the artwork to the real world! Editor: Thank you for your insights. It’s changed my whole perception of this piece!