Self-Portrait 2017

Curator: Here we have Kexin Di’s “Self-Portrait” from 2017, an oil painting rendered in a style that seems to bridge realism and modernism. Editor: It’s instantly contemplative, isn't it? The dark background and earthy tones lend this incredibly intimate feel. He looks like he’s caught in thought. Curator: The profile view and the restrained palette certainly contribute. Given the focus on the artist's likeness and interiority, it would be interesting to consider how gender and identity performance come into play within the tradition of self-portraiture. Are there norms or subversions occurring here? Editor: That’s a great point, though for me, it transcends pure technical execution and feels rawly emotional. I can imagine the artist staring intently into a mirror, struggling to put feelings onto the canvas. It is about presenting his face as a social construct and lived experience, absolutely, but the humanness of the experience stands out above all else. Curator: The application of oil paint is particularly interesting. Notice the feathery brushstrokes, especially around the face and neck. It softens the edges, almost dissolving the figure into the darkness. How do you read this deliberate diffusion of boundaries? Editor: It gives an effect that's both ethereal and grounded, I guess, blurring the line between presence and memory. Perhaps the artist is trying to tell us that identity itself is always in flux and that our understanding of the self changes across the different facets of lived experience. Curator: Indeed. Considering the broader context of modernism and contemporary portraiture, this "Self-Portrait" engages in the enduring themes of self-representation, albeit from a nuanced perspective on identity formation and fluidity. Editor: I think so, yes, this portrait isn’t shouting, it’s whispering. Its value for me rests less on these complex contextual threads and more on a humble feeling, I see so much yearning, introspection. Curator: It's been so helpful seeing it through your eyes. Thanks! Editor: My pleasure, I'm happy our diverse perspectives came together here.