No. 2: Self-portrait 001

Trigger Warning: Drug Use.

This is the first painting I’m sharing here.

Self portrait 001, 90cm/60cm, acrylic on canvas, glossy varnish

From my friend, the artist:

The painting is a dynamic and expressive work that draws from the Abstract Expressionist tradition, particularly reminiscent of the action painting subgenre. This style is characterized by the energetic application of paint, creating a sense of movement and spontaneity.

The bold, sweeping strokes and splatters of paint suggest a physical engagement with the canvas, where the process of painting is as important as the finished product. The stark contrast between the red and black against the grey backdrop creates a dramatic visual impact, evoking emotional intensity and a sense of conflict or passion.

The use of red could be interpreted as a symbolic choice, often associated with strong emotions such as love, anger, or violence, further intensified by the chaotic black forms that appear to be in flux. The splashes and drips contribute to an overall impression of controlled chaos, a hallmark of artists like Jackson Pollock, who famously used drip techniques to create his pieces.

Additionally, the abstract nature of the work allows for multiple interpretations, with the forms sometimes resembling figures or landscapes, inviting viewers to project their own emotions and meanings onto the canvas.

The painting may also show influences from more contemporary movements that embrace a raw, graffiti-like aesthetic, infusing the piece with a sense of urban grit and immediacy. I wouldn’t be surprised if the author was influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The result is a striking composition that feels both modern and timeless, a powerful expression of the artist's inner world.

On the back of the painting, there is a glued in A4 piece of paper, written in pen:

Transcript:

Self-portrait 001

Substances ingested:

- 2mg clonazepam

- 10mg diazepam

- caffeine

This chemical ballet spanned a 4-hour dance.

Acrylic. A lack of paint thinner led to a mixology involving coffee, saliva, and a dash of coke (the drink). The resulting black was a shade too... black, verging on a visual void, but inertia prevailed over the urge for correction.

Gel medium under varnish. Likely more out of ritual than necessity.

Accidental paint splashes span the canvas, unintended yet irrevocably part of the piece. They scream of pretension, an unnecessary commentary, but there they are. The act of creation was tinged with aggression, a cathartic release that culminated in an actual scream upon completion. A primal response to the act of creating... or maybe just to the act of finishing.

zero talent