The Ghost of Mariusz 2012

Paulo Tercio's "The Ghost of Mariusz", dimensions 50 x 40 cm, is a painting that feels like a stage set for a play we’ve only half-read, built out of intuitive mark-making and a restrained palette of deep reds, grays, and greens. Look at how Tercio builds up the surfaces. The paint is thick, especially in the background, creating a sense of depth. The titular ghost seems to be peering out from behind a door, its eyes wide and questioning, while a bizarre figure on the right seems like a person but also like a vase, or a mannequin, with arrows sticking out. The red and white stripes in the background – are they a scarf, a warning sign? They give this painting a comic, surreal edge. This piece reminds me of Giorgio de Chirico's metaphysical paintings. Both artists share a sense of mystery and psychological depth. Like de Chirico, Tercio embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations.