Chiromancy 2010

Andrey Remnev made this painting, Chiromancy, and I’m really taken with its sort of otherworldly feel, created through the considered application of paint to achieve a smooth, almost unreal surface. Look at the golden yellow of the central figure’s jacket, how it glows! And notice the way the two women at either side seem to press in from the edges, their faces downcast as they study the hands before them. It’s like a moment suspended in time, each detail rendered with precision. The artist has a strong command of his materials, and you can see this in the details: the subtle sheen on the jacket, and the way the light catches the folds in the fabric of the sleeves. This piece has a lot in common with the work of Pavel Filonov, especially his interest in spirituality and the use of smooth surfaces. It really speaks to how art is not about having one answer, but about opening up possibilities.