Awakening 1992

Ivan Marchuk made Awakening with paint sometime during his career. What strikes me is the sheer density of the lines, built up layer upon layer, an absolute thicket of mark-making. It gives the work this incredible tactile quality, as if you could reach out and feel the texture of the paint. Look closely, and you'll see how Marchuk uses a limited color palette—earthy browns, reds, and touches of greens and blues—to create a sense of depth and luminosity. The way he interweaves these colors, especially in the woman's hair, is really compelling. It's like each strand is vibrating with its own energy. You might see something of Gustav Klimt in his earlier, more decorative paintings. I'm left with a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer force of nature.