Andromeda 

Sofia Bonati created ‘Andromeda’ using traditional art materials: pencil, gouache, and watercolor, on paper. Look closely at how the flat washes of color create a dreamlike quality; the work hovers between graphic design, illustration, and fine art. Notice how the repeating pattern in the background, as well as the figure’s dress, imply a surface design, like wallpaper or textiles. The combination of the hand-painted surface and this subtle suggestion of domestic craft is quite powerful. The artist also utilizes the qualities of the paper, leaving areas unpainted, letting the grain and texture of the paper become part of the image. The intense labor required to create such an intricate piece is obvious. The result celebrates the handmade, softening the boundary between the fine and decorative arts.