Little Death Laid Bare and Maiden Fair 2019

Jana Brike made this painting, 'Little Death Laid Bare and Maiden Fair', with oils that blend into this ethereal scene. See the pink meadow, the turquoise sky, and how the figure in white is caught in what feels like a pivotal moment. I can only imagine Brike, brush in hand, trying to capture the fleeting intersection of life and death. The skeleton lying amidst the flowers is a memento mori, but life springs eternal, signified by the maiden in ecstasy. Look at how Brike uses color – those pinks and blues aren't just pretty; they create a dreamy atmosphere. And the texture? You can almost feel the smoothness of the maiden’s skin. The skeleton is more gestural, almost surreal. It reminds me of other contemporary figurative painters who delve into narrative but with a twist of the uncanny. It’s like Brike is in conversation with them, adding her own chapter to the story of painting. It all goes to show that painting is a way to ask questions without necessarily answering them.