Tea-party in Mytishchi 2012

Alexander Roitburd’s still life of a yellow tea service against a brick wall is full of painterly marks. I love the physical presence of the paint. The way Roitburd applies it thickly, building up textures that mimic the rough surface of the bricks. Look at the shadows, the way the light catches on the edges of each brick, creating a tactile, almost sculptural quality. It’s like he’s not just painting bricks, but building them, one stroke at a time. The palette is warm and inviting, the yellows of the tea set popping against the earthy reds and browns of the wall. Notice the brushstrokes around the teapot's handle; each dab of paint seems deliberate, contributing to the overall energy of the piece. I’m reminded of Chaim Soutine, who had a similar commitment to expressive brushwork and an interest in the everyday. The “Tea-party in Mytishchi” isn’t just a still life, it’s a conversation about process. An artwork that invites you to consider the possibilities of paint.