Tabitha #14 2013

Lu Cong's oil on canvas, "Tabitha #14," presents a striking portrait with a composition that teeters on the edge of hyperrealism. The subject, a fair-haired girl, is rendered with meticulous detail against a backdrop of soft, cloudy skies. This juxtaposition of a sharply focused figure against an ethereal background creates a sense of unease. The color palette is intentionally limited, with the green of the girl's dress providing a grounding contrast to the pastel sky and the subject's skin tone. The gaze, direct and unwavering, invites the viewer into a silent dialogue, while the symmetrical composition evokes a sense of classical portraiture. Cong plays with the semiotics of portraiture, challenging the traditional notions of beauty and representation. The almost clinical precision destabilizes any fixed meaning, leaving us to question the nature of identity. This work functions as a mirror reflecting our own perceptions and expectations.