Question 1994

Ramon Oviedo painted this dreamlike scene, ‘Question’, with oils, layering figures in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. There's a real tension between the dark, almost violent, marks that form the beast-like figure and the soft, translucent washes creating the human form. The paint isn't applied to hide the process but to expose it; each layer, each brushstroke, contributes to the overall effect. The texture is varied, with some areas built up thickly and others remaining thin and ghostly. Look closely at how Oviedo uses red; a primal, visceral color that highlights the eyes of the beast and a small detail in the lower centre of the composition. Does this relate to a specific narrative, or more about feelings of anxiety, love, conflict? The piece reminds me of Goya’s darker works; there’s a similar fascination with the monstrous and the irrational sides of human nature. Ultimately, Oviedo leaves us with more questions than answers, and that’s precisely its power.