Aston and Ethan 

Alfred Conteh's striking painting, Aston and Ethan, is created with acrylic on salvaged wood panel. The choice of materials here is critical. Conteh has used a discarded support, scarred with its own history, in combination with the fluidity of acrylic paint, to create a powerful image of two young men. The decision to use salvaged wood, rather than a pristine canvas, signals Conteh's interest in imbuing the work with a sense of lived experience and social commentary. The distressed surface becomes integral to the overall aesthetic, mirroring the challenges faced by the subjects of the portrait. The monochromatic red palette, achieved through layers of acrylic, lends a sense of urgency and intensity to the composition. The artist makes the conscious decision to avoid traditional art materials, embracing the raw quality of the found wood and acrylic. The use of acrylic paint contrasts with the decay of the wooden support, making a potent statement about the endurance and strength found within marginalized communities. The careful consideration of materials, making, and context allows us to fully appreciate the depth of meaning within the artwork. It defies simple categorization and invites us to reconsider the boundaries between fine art and craft.