J.A.D. 2013

Manuela Sambo's J.A.D. is a work of art made with paint on canvas. The flat, opaque surface emphasizes the artist’s hand in a way that’s so evident. It’s important to think about what goes into making a painting. The whole process, from stretching the canvas, preparing the surface, and mixing the paints is labor intensive. And then you have the act of applying paint, and the artistic skill it requires. It's a fascinating mix of skilled tradition and individual expression. The textures, colors, and forms that Sambo achieves with paint, transform the canvas into something meaningful, prompting questions of labor, skill, and value, challenging traditional distinctions between art and craft.