Bas sad 2010

Dragan Ilić Di Vogo created this oil painting, Bas sad, with a dark palette and smooth marks. There’s something about the contrast between the cool blues and grays of the stone and the flesh tones of the figure that really grabs me. The woman’s body is painted with such care, each curve and shadow rendered with a delicate touch. And then there’s that massive stone head looming in the background, broken and imposing. The artist has built up layers of oil paint to create depth and texture. The smoothness of the woman’s skin plays off the craggy surface of the rocks. I am reminded of Paula Rego, as the artist has embraced ambiguity and allowed for multiple interpretations of the piece, reflecting art as an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.