Portrait 1960

This is a portrait made by Vilen Barsky. The monochrome blue wash lays down a face, then bold black strokes outline it. The contrast between the two elements creates a tension that is hard to ignore; Barsky emphasizes the process and materiality of his work. I love the way the black bleeds slightly, giving the whole piece a kind of ghostly quality. It’s not just a picture of a face; it’s an artifact of an action. Look at the way the black line loops above the face, forming what could be a hat, or perhaps just an abstract shape. It’s these kinds of ambiguities that make the piece so compelling. There is something of Dubuffet in the rawness and immediacy. It's about leaving space for the viewer, for the unexpected.