Two Universes Colliding 2017

Jana Brike made ‘Two Universes Colliding’ using oils, probably applying thin glazes, one layer over another to create a luminous scene. It’s romantic, but with an edge. I see a lot of pinks and reds, some greens, and a focus on flesh. I imagine Brike wanted to capture the intensity of early love and attraction. The way the figures are entwined, the freckles on their faces, even the scratch marks and tattoos feel very intimate. The tattoos on the arm feel like the type of thing you might get when you’re young and feel like you're the only two people in the world. The loose flower petals scattered on the bodies remind me of Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ or maybe a painting by Titian. The Old Masters also knew how to turn up the heat in a scene. There’s a long, complex lineage in painting. We’re all just trying to find new ways to talk about the same things that matter: life, death, and love.