Untitled 

This painting by Arturo Rivera features an otherworldly figure meticulously rendered with oil paint. The artist has employed techniques to create this arresting image, from the rich hues and tones of the figure's skin, to the atmospheric rendering of planets and clouds in the background. Rivera has engaged with a skilled tradition in the fine arts that speaks to a long history of portraiture. The figure is carefully observed and painted with great care. This is no mere likeness, however. The elongated fingernails, antenna-like protuberance on the shoulder, and the small golden pyramid held delicately between two fingers, all contribute to a sense of surreal symbolism. The contrast between the hyper-realistic figure and these strange attributes challenges traditional notions of fine art. Ultimately, Rivera asks us to consider how materials, making, and context are all critical when considering a work of art.