Prapor 

Horia Bernea created Prapor using oil paint on canvas, a hallmark of traditional fine art practice. Bernea’s skilled application of oil paint gives the work its texture and depth; the canvas is built up through many layers of paint, applied with expressive brushstrokes. Notice how the inherent qualities of the oil paint – its viscosity, its capacity for blending – have been exploited to create subtle tonal variations. The flag-like imagery is particularly interesting when considering the work’s materiality. The geometric shapes have a weight and presence that belie the lightness of the medium. Bernea engages with the traditions of painting, pushing the boundaries between representation and abstraction. The labor involved in the work is evident in the many layers and textures of the paint. Ultimately, Prapor challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us that materials, making, and context are essential to understanding an artwork’s full meaning.