Seitenblicke 

Alfio Giuffrida painted this work, titled Seitenblicke, using acrylic on canvas. The smooth surface and bright colors evoke the world of commercial design. The canvas is flat, with blocky representations of household objects. The painting is very matter-of-fact and seems to invite the viewer to consider its formal qualities of flatness and color. The composition is organized in a grid-like formation which adds to the effect. The effect is a still-life of sorts, in which the objects are carefully arranged and presented for contemplation. The use of acrylic paint is particularly interesting here. It’s a relatively modern material, and associated with speed and efficiency. The way Giuffrida deploys it here is less about virtuosity of brushwork and more about simple application and clarity of color. In this way, the painting challenges the traditional hierarchy of art materials and invites us to see beauty and value in the everyday.