Fighter 2006

Carmen Delaco painted "Fighter," and you can almost feel the energy of its making. It is a symphony of reds, pinks, and grays. I imagine her, brush in hand, circling the canvas, deciding how to bring this person to life. Looking at the painting, it seems the artist might have been thinking about strength and vulnerability, how one exists within the other. Notice how Delaco uses thick strokes to define the planes of the face, yet she softens the edges, suggesting a sense of resilience. There's a mark, or wound, on the forehead that is echoed in the redness of the background. It speaks to the battles we all face, visible or otherwise, and the way those battles shape who we are. It reminds me of other painters like Marlene Dumas, who isn't afraid to tackle complex and difficult subjects. Delaco makes painting a place where you and I can contemplate the human condition. Each of us brings our own experiences to the canvas and walk away changed by what we find there.