Fishes 2010

Branko Bačanović made this artwork titled ‘Fishes’ with, what looks like, a marker pen. The approach to mark making is super direct, each stroke confident and bold, and the stark monochrome palette emphasizes the immediacy of the creative process. Looking at the textures, you can really sense the artist’s hand at work. The ink sits right on the surface, there’s no attempt to hide or blend anything, the process is right there for all to see. The oval form of the central fish, with its stripes and feathery edges, has a kind of totemic power. It’s like Bačanović is inviting us to contemplate the essence of ‘fishness’. This piece is very similar to the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who also embraced raw expression and a kind of visual poetry in his art. What I love about this artwork is its honesty. It's not trying to be perfect or polished; it’s just raw, authentic expression.