Mascaron 1990

Oleg Holosiy made this striking 40 x 60 cm painting, "Mascaron", with paint. The whole painting swims in a sea of red, punctuated by searing yellows and blacks. Imagine Oleg, brush in hand, circling that face with a bold, dark outline, almost like trapping something raw and untamed. It's a face, but it's also a mask, a primal scream rendered in paint. The paint is applied so intuitively, I can see Oleg trying to get something down quickly, not worrying about getting it perfect. It's all about the urgency, the need to capture a feeling. The eyes are like dark pools, bottomless, while the mouth is just a hint of a downturn. The red is angry, passionate. I think of other artists like Philip Guston who weren't afraid to be so direct, so raw. This painting feels like it's part of that conversation. It's a reminder that painting isn't just about making a pretty picture; it's about wrestling with our inner demons, our fears, and our desires.