Self-Portrait of Me undated

Editor: So, this is "Self-Portrait of Me" by Mose Tolliver. It's undated, made with watercolors, and... well, it definitely has a raw, almost childlike quality. The figure's proportions are so exaggerated. What do you make of it? Curator: Indeed. Let us examine the formal elements. Notice the simplified shapes, the almost geometrical approach to rendering the human form. The face is an oval, the body a rectangle, with cylindrical shapes defining the arms and legs. Are you struck by the flatness? Editor: Yes, absolutely. There’s no real attempt at perspective or shading. Curator: Precisely. This emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the picture plane. Consider the colour palette: the limited range, the juxtaposition of turquoise and a muted purple-grey. The interplay of these colours, though seemingly simple, creates a visual tension. How would you describe this tension? Editor: It feels almost unsettling, the colors are off. I do wonder why he chose that blue for his clothes. Curator: It deviates from realism and creates an emotionally-driven piece. Now observe how Tolliver uses line. The lines are often thick and uneven. Note too the textural variation achieved through layering the watercolour. Can you see the build up in the face and hands especially? Editor: Now that you point it out, definitely. It’s not just flat washes. It adds a strange depth. Curator: Exactly. It's the deviations from the expected and the exploration of this tension which, through line, color and shape, grants this self-portrait such captivating strength. Editor: I never would have picked up on that level of nuance looking at the shapes first! Curator: Considering the artwork in its raw components yields many subtle details that are missed at first glance.