Mala-Dunja 2013

Dragan Ilić Di Vogo painted Mala-Dunja with what looks like oil on canvas, and the whole thing feels like a strange dream hovering between worlds. I’m curious about the title. The ghostly white horse is huge, a monumental presence dominating the canvas, and the brushwork on its mane gives it a palpable sense of movement. I can imagine the artist carefully layering those strokes, building up the volume and texture, one touch at a time. Then there's the figure of the girl, Mala, nestled into the composition like a secret. The muted palette and the soft gradations of color create a sense of otherworldly calm, with the horse and girl in quiet communion, sharing some unknown space. It reminds me of Paula Rego's fairytale paintings, where innocence and menace intertwine. As painters, we’re all in conversation with each other, trying to capture something elusive, something beyond words.