Redhead 2004

Andrey Remnev painted this enigmatic scene in his signature style. Look at how the surface is built up in thin layers, creating a smooth, almost dreamlike quality, very different from the gooey texture of my own paintings. It’s fascinating to imagine Remnev at work, patiently layering these scenes within scenes, letting the painting evolve through a delicate dance of control and intuition. What was he thinking when he painted the buildings, or the horses, or the little dog? There's an intense stillness to the woman's gaze. And the way he renders that patchwork quilt, it’s like a painting within a painting! It reminds me of other painters like Balthus, who also created very particular, hermetic worlds. We artists are all in conversation, borrowing and stealing, riffing off one another. I think it’s so funny how this process can embrace uncertainty, allowing for infinite interpretations and shifting meanings.