Peace 1991

Alexander Bogen painted “Peace,” using oil paint, to create a world of vibrant tranquility. The way he layers blues, from almost turquoise to a deep cerulean, reminds me that making art is like building up layers of thoughts and feelings. Look closely at the dove. See how Bogen captures its form with such simple, confident strokes? The paint is applied thinly, allowing the texture of the canvas to peek through, adding a sense of immediacy. The figure in the foreground is more abstracted, almost cubist, especially in the rendering of the torso. It has this beautiful red, white and grey colour palette which is in striking contrast to the serene blues of the background. The interplay between representation and abstraction makes me think of Chagall, who also explored similar themes of love and peace in his work. Art is a conversation, isn't it? We borrow, we steal, we transform. It's all about keeping the dialogue alive and making it your own.