Portrait of different years 1976

Mariam Aslamazian created this painting, Portrait of Different Years, using oil on canvas. What strikes me is the division of the canvas into distinct sections, with each segment capturing a different style and mood; she's trying on identities, like a visual diary of her artistic evolution. The texture varies across the canvas, from the smoother, more blended areas to the impasto-like qualities, with visible brushstrokes adding depth and vibrancy. The colors range from muted and earthy to bold and saturated. The face in the center has a red collar, and the brushwork there is looser, almost gestural, which makes you consider the artist's hand in shaping the image. There's a sense of art history, not just in Aslamazian's work, but when I see it, I'm reminded of Frida Kahlo's self-portraits, but with a twist. Both artists explored their identities, but Aslamazian seems to be engaging in a conversation with herself across time, rather than presenting a singular, fixed image. There is a feeling of an open dialogue, which is what makes art so engaging, isn't it?