The Sence of Adventure 2013

Manuela Sambo’s painting, The Sence of Adventure, maybe made with acrylic or oils, conjures the intimate embrace of two figures on a vivid yellow chair against a patterned green background. It makes me think about Sambo in the studio, layering color upon color, watching the figures emerge and take shape through the addition of each individual mark. The light shimmers across the blue skin of these figures. They are entwined, as if sharing secrets. The tattoos wrapping around their limbs remind me of other artists who use the body as a canvas for expression, like the Viennese Actionists and their performance art. They transform themselves into living paintings, reflecting the emotional and spiritual journey of self-discovery. I find myself wanting to know more about their story and the symbols they carry. Artists participate in an ongoing exchange of ideas, inspiring one another to push beyond the boundaries of what they thought possible. The beauty of painting lies in its ability to embrace ambiguity.