Jeremy Abbott and Oliver Hartt Diptych, Portraits, 2016

Ramonn Vieitez  

This artwork is a striking diptych displaying two distinct portraits that explore contrasting themes of expression and identity. On the left, a realistic depiction of a young man gazes upward, his face softly lit, highlighting his intent and contemplative expression. The detailed rendering of his eyes and subtle use of light and shadow adds depth and invites introspection. In stark contrast, the right portrait features a dramatic, stylized face adorned with bold, theatrical makeup. Vivid red accents around the eyes and mouth, paired with stark white skin, evoke themes of theatricality and transformation. The subject's intense gaze and exaggerated features create a sense of rebellion and artistry. Together, these portraits form a narrative on duality, blending realistic and fantastical elements. The juxtaposition challenges viewers to ponder themes of identity and self-expression, making the artwork both provocative and compelling.

Ramonn Vieitez is a self-taught Brazilian artist who primarily utilizes painting as a field of creative possibility exploring themes such as identity, memory, and nature, compulsively producing works of astonishing lyricism, melancholy, and, perhaps most importantly, sincerity. As a queer individual, he playfully engages with a stunning variety of references but shares the conviction that painting can yield intimate and revelatory forms of expression. His works convey a sense of energy and movement, existing between figuration and imagined landscapes – they serve as windows to luminous, vibrant, and melancholic places. His production arises from the desire for understanding and the construction of an honest memory, a quest to reveal suppressed desires and lost truths. 

Watercolor and Gouache on canvas Overall size: 15.7 H x 23.6 W in. Individual Size: 15.7 H x 11.8 W in. Signed on the back by the artist.