Metamorfoza 2017

Milos Pavlovic made this drawing called ‘Metamorfoza’, with pencil and marker pen on brown paper. I’m really drawn to the textures in this piece, particularly the hand, which looks like it’s been worked and reworked until it is almost sculptural. The red marker, a visceral, blood-like element, contrasts with the softness of the pencil shading. Look at where the red meets the pencil work – how the bleeding effect of the marker emphasizes the grain of the paper. It’s as if the paper itself is part of the narrative. The contrast in mark-making here reminds me of Kiki Smith's work, particularly her explorations of the body. But Pavlovic brings something entirely unique to the table. It’s this rawness, the lack of pretense, that makes the image so striking. ‘Metamorfoza’ feels like an open question, inviting us to confront our own perspectives and experiences.