PORTRAIT 2018

Editor: This is "PORTRAIT," created in 2018 by Cricorps. Looking at it, I’m struck by how fragmented the image is; it almost feels like shattered glass, yet it still holds the shape of a face. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: The fracturing is key. Think of Byzantine mosaics, where light catches each tessera, revealing a deeper truth through its aggregate. Here, the artist seems to be dismantling the conventional notion of portraiture. A face isn't just a surface; it's a collection of experiences, emotions, maybe even traumas. Notice how some fragments are brightly colored, almost joyful, while others are darker, more somber. What do those juxtapositions tell you? Editor: It's like the painting acknowledges that identity is complex, not a single, fixed thing. The bright and dark areas seem to be competing for dominance. Curator: Precisely. This competition can represent internal conflict or the push and pull of different aspects of personality. Also, note the sharp lines; they’re reminiscent of early 20th-century Cubism, disrupting our sense of perspective and stability. Do you think the artist intended to evoke a sense of unease? Editor: It does create some tension, which makes me think about how we present ourselves versus how we truly feel. So it could be a deliberate comment on vulnerability. Curator: Exactly! The deconstruction becomes a form of revealing. The brokenness makes it feel incredibly human. What do you make of the background colors, then? How does it amplify your overall assessment? Editor: Seeing the figure broken up, juxtaposed against this colorful chaotic background...I appreciate how it suggests our inner lives aren’t always neatly aligned. I guess I learned to not take faces at face value! Curator: A wonderful insight! This work reveals how portraiture can move beyond mere likeness to explore the deeper, often fragmented, nature of self.