The Blue Eyes 2019

Curator: Here we have Alaa Awad's striking portrait from 2019, entitled "The Blue Eyes." Awad is known for her figuration work with a modern sensibility. Editor: Wow, that gaze just pulls you right in, doesn’t it? I am drawn to the bold choices: that vivid orange against the muted blues, and the texture. It's like a dream rendered in impasto. Curator: The palette is definitely unexpected. Looking at the application of acrylic on canvas, one notices the expressiveness, the layers almost vibrate. It's not just a representation of a face; it's more a mood, a feeling. Editor: Exactly. It evokes a sense of introspection, or perhaps a quiet defiance. Her gaze seems to be peering both inwards and outwards simultaneously. The headdress, I think, adds to this duality—veiling and revealing at the same time. I'm wondering, what cultural context does Awad bring to her portraits? Curator: Awad, situated within contemporary Egyptian art, often engages with themes of identity, gender, and tradition. While rooted in portraiture, her style embraces an emotional, almost expressionist bent. She actively pulls from the past but firmly makes her mark with very modern visual decisions. Editor: Thinking about these choices, there's a reclamation of representation occurring, almost rejecting typical western notions of female portrayal and beauty. She paints strength; that's so clear to me. Curator: Precisely. "The Blue Eyes," though a recent piece, engages with long lineages of portraiture, asking vital questions about who gets to be seen, and how they are seen. Awad actively creates that space. Editor: It really is fascinating how much can be conveyed with a face and a color palette. It reminds me how intimate and powerful portraits can be. I am walking away with a newfound sense of her artistry and expression. Curator: Me too. There's a haunting presence about this one, which reminds us that portraits do more than just show—they make us feel.