JOY 2019

Sergio Mario Illuminato's "JOY", undated, seems to be made with thick layers of oil paint on canvas. It feels like a process of building up and scraping away. The texture is so prominent; the face emerges from a rugged landscape of pinks and whites. See how the artist applies the paint so thickly, especially around the eyes and mouth? They almost look like they're carved from stone. The physical nature of the medium is unmissable, the process isn't hidden at all. The layers and the marks of the tools, maybe palette knives, are all there. The subtle shifts in color and the physicality of the paint evoke something primordial, like an unearthed artifact. It reminds me of Antoni Tàpies, who often used unconventional materials to create textured surfaces. Both artists show us that art isn't just about representation but about the raw, tactile experience of making. Ultimately, "JOY" invites us to find beauty and meaning in the imperfect.