2B 

Editor: This painting is called "2B," and it's by Stanley Artgerm Lau. The artist appears to be working in acrylics, and it's in the style of contemporary fantasy art, presented as a portrait. What I find compelling is the figure's expression contrasted with the harsh weaponry that she has on her back. What do you see in this piece? Curator: From a formalist perspective, I'm immediately drawn to the artist's use of chiaroscuro. Notice the dramatic contrast between light and shadow. It's not merely representational, but used to sculpt the figure, directing our eye. The figure's skin has incredibly soft rendering which juxtaposes well against the textures of the surrounding, crumbling cityscape. Also consider the artist's arrangement of forms – how the hard, angular lines of the swords and background architecture contrast with the flowing curves of the character’s dress. Editor: Yes, the textures! How the smooth skin seems almost hyperrealistic while the surroundings are rougher...is there a meaning to that difference in texture? Curator: Meaning, per se, may be beyond a formalist analysis. However, consider it as a structural device. By establishing that binary opposition – smooth/rough, hard/soft – the artist generates visual interest and directs attention to particular aspects of the work. It compels us to ask: What is the relation between them? Does one dominate, or are they in harmony? Editor: That’s a very good way to think about the picture; I'm too conditioned to consider an external meaning first, but analyzing the contrast between elements makes me perceive it with much more attention. Curator: Indeed. And that detailed consideration opens a broader realm of interpretations to come later, with our formal foundation securely in place.