Lost Sea 2015

Sliman Mansour made this painting, Lost Sea, using oil paints. I can see in the waves a real dedication to the process of mark making; each stroke carefully placed, one after the other. The paint is applied in a way that feels both flat and textured. It's not about creating an illusion, but more like building up a surface. The way the figures are painted reminds me of folk art, where there’s a focus on clear shapes and bright colours. Look how the geometric patterns on the clothes add a layer of detail. I am drawn to the central figure's hands, holding the oranges. There is a tenderness in this gesture that reflects the themes of displacement and resilience present in Mansour's wider body of work. His work makes me think of Paula Modersohn-Becker, both share an interest in depicting the human figure in a way that feels both intimate and symbolic. It’s a conversation, really, this art thing, across time and place.