Revelation 2016

Timur Akhriev, sometime this century, made "Revelation" with oil paint, I reckon. You can see how the artist has wrestled with the image, layering strokes and colours. I imagine Akhriev, brush in hand, circling around this face and mask, searching. The paint is applied thickly, almost sculpted, building up textures that catch the light. Look at how the mask is rendered – a swirling, golden surface that hints at hidden depths. The contrast between the cool blues and reds of the figure and the warm golds of the mask creates a tension that really pulls you in. I love how the touch of the hand that holds the mask becomes a pivotal point, suggesting revelation, but also concealment. Painters like Akhriev remind us that painting is an ongoing conversation, a way of seeing and feeling that's always open to interpretation.