Self-Portrait with and without the Mask 2005

Francesco Clemente made this 'Self-Portrait with and without the Mask' and it’s all about playing with identity, right? It's this ongoing process of trying to figure out who we are, and the masks we wear—or that wear us. The paint is layered, kind of scrubbed on, which gives it a raw, immediate feel. Look at how the colors blend, especially around the eyes, that soft focus enhances the mood. The pig's eye is especially cunning - it's like an animal double bluff! Clemente gives a nod to Ensor in the way he plays with masks, but also feels incredibly current as the mask is both a disguise and a part of one’s personality in the digital age. Art doesn't give us answers, but it gives us different ways of looking at the question. This piece is a reminder that who we are is always changing, always being negotiated.