Alter Ego Convention II 2020

Michael Cheval made this painting called Alter Ego Convention II, but there’s no date given. It's an oil painting with a smooth surface that's almost surreal in its clarity. He’s working with this reflected image, this doubled vision of a figure dressed as a jester in very fine detail. Look how the jester is pouring this dark liquid – maybe wine – into the reflection, almost like he’s feeding or completing it. There’s this linear connection between the two selves, contrasted against the way the water is more roughly rendered, which sets off the smooth surface of the figures. That wine is so dark against the cool blues and greens, and the gold trim, in both figures’ outfits. It reminds me of Magritte, but with a bit of playful mystery thrown in. Like, what does it mean to pour wine into your alter ego? It’s like art is always in conversation, playing with ideas across time. And just like in art, there's no one right way to understand it.