I Felt Free And Therefore I Was Free 

Tania Rivilis, born in 1986, crafted 'I Felt Free And Therefore I Was Free' with oil on canvas. Here, the materiality of paint is front and center. Rivilis deploys the viscous texture of oil paint to build up layers of color and form. Note how the artist hasn't tried to disguise her technique; you can see every stroke, every dab of the brush. The colors are rich and applied with a visible, almost tactile quality. This direct handling of material is especially evident in the hands, where layers of brushstrokes create a sense of depth and realism. The application of paint in 'I Felt Free And Therefore I Was Free' reminds us of the artist's labor, the repetitive, physical act of applying paint to canvas. The title suggests the artist’s mindset and the power of creative expression. The painting invites us to appreciate the labor involved in its creation and how that labor contributes to its meaning. It pushes us to reconsider distinctions between high art and craft.