Time Will Tell 2021

Mark Kostabi created “Time Will Tell” in 2021, using acrylic on canvas. Kostabi, known for his distinctive style, presents us with faceless figures, smooth surfaces and dreamlike imagery. His application of paint, through the use of airbrush techniques, enhances the surreal quality, giving it a hyper-smooth finish, while also emphasizing the artificiality of the scene. The lack of visible brushstrokes removes the artist's hand, while the smooth gradients of color create an almost digital aesthetic. The artist’s method highlights a certain detachment and alienation, as though it was created by a machine, in contrast to the traditional associations of oil painting with skilled labor and personal expression. Kostabi deliberately plays with these conventions, blurring the lines between mass production and fine art. Ultimately, this prompts us to reflect on the value of human labor and the nature of creativity in our modern, increasingly automated world.