Power of Source 2020

Mark Kostabi made this painting called 'Power of Source' sometime around 2020. It's got these figures painted in soft gradients, embracing amidst hard-edged, angular forms. I imagine Kostabi at work, layering those smooth, almost eggshell-like figures against this rigid geometric background. There’s this tension between the softness of the bodies and the sharp, architectural shapes surrounding them. The figures feel like they’re caught in a spotlight. The way they’re posed, all intertwined, reminds me of classical sculpture, but with a modern, almost digital feel. It’s like he's asking, "How do we find intimacy and connection in a world that’s increasingly fragmented and cold?" It feels connected to de Chirico, but much more figurative, you know? Painting is about conversations with other painters, and with yourself. It's about embracing ambiguity and uncertainty.