Karin Hörzing 2021

Gazmend Freitag painted this portrait of Karin Hörzing in 2021, with what looks like watercolor and pencil. I imagine the artist layering washes of translucent yellow and orange, before drawing on top with a dark pencil. It’s interesting how the face emerges from this sunny, warm background, with touches of pink on the cheeks and forehead. The artist seems to be exploring how much information is needed to capture a likeness. There's an economy to the lines, a sense of the artist deciding what to leave out as much as what to include. I am drawn to the loose handling of the hair, with scribbled marks suggesting form and texture. It reminds me of some of Alice Neel’s portraits, with their raw, honest, and slightly awkward quality. I think Freitag is also interested in conveying something of the sitter’s personality, capturing a sense of warmth and intelligence in the eyes and smile. Painting is a form of embodied expression which embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.