Marina 1998

Viktor Lyapkalo created this painting, titled 'Marina', with oil paints. The choice of oil paint is significant, as it allows for a slow, deliberate process, where layers of color and texture can be built up over time. Look closely, and you'll notice how Lyapkalo has used broad, expressive brushstrokes to capture the model's form. The materiality of the paint itself – its viscosity and sheen – adds to the sensuality of the image. You can almost feel the weight and volume of her body. The making process here speaks to the history of fine art, and the skilled tradition of representational painting. However, by emphasizing the physical presence of the model, Lyapkalo's approach also challenges traditional ideals of beauty and the male gaze. It's through this lens of material and making that we can fully appreciate the social and cultural significance of 'Marina'.