Close Before Striking V, 2014

Roberto Fonfria   New & remarkable Artists

Close Before Striking V, 2014 Image size: 20 in. H x 16 in. W Frame size: 24 in. H x 20 in. W x 1 in. D Collage, watercolor, and graphite Mounted on a white frame.

This artwork is an intriguing mixed media composition that combines portraiture and handwritten text, inviting deep introspection and emotional engagement. Dominating the piece are four enigmatic, overlapping faces, each rendered in a unique style with a blend of monochrome and muted hues, capturing a raw, unfinished quality that suggests a sense of vulnerability. The background is a subtle tan, providing an understated canvas that emphasizes the portraits' emotional expressions. The upper left face is accompanied by the word "ALONE," immediately setting a tone of isolation. Below, the phrase "He hates things that use the word ‘love’" adds depth, hinting at a nuanced emotional struggle. The upper right face is marked with grid lines, overlaid with fragmented text "He’s been having the same dream since '82," evoking a sense of ongoing internal conflict and nostalgia. In the lower left quadrant, the text "SEE ME" intersects the face, surrounded by the poignant line, “He is afraid of empty rooms,” invoking feelings of solitude and fear of abandonment. Finally, the lower right portrait features a more subdued expression, annotated with “She wishes people could talk her seriously,” encircled in a red outline that symbolizes emotional distress and a plea for understanding. Each text fragment is handwritten, adding a personal, diary-like quality that draws the viewer into a psychological narrative. The overall composition, with its combination of visual and textual elements, powerfully explores themes of isolation, longing, and the complexity of human emotion, making it both a compelling and thought-provoking piece.