Curatorial notes
This 'Bust of a Woman' is a painting by Pablo Picasso, its dimensions are roughly 100 x 80 cm. The piece is a riot of feeling, isn't it? Look at how the white paint around her face is dabbed on, almost like he's sculpting with the brush. It’s so immediate, like he’s trying to catch a thought as it flies by. I’m drawn to the mix of colours, the way the red of her dress, is bold, almost raw against the grey background. The red is applied in these thick curves, giving the impression of a dress, a kind of shield. Then there's those black lines crisscrossing at her chest, like a map. It’s interesting how he leaves certain areas unblended, as if the painting is constantly in progress, a record of its own making. It feels like he is in conversation with artists like Matisse. Ultimately, the painting embraces uncertainty. Each time we look at it, something new emerges.
