Melancholy 2009

Dragan Ilić Di Vogo made this painting, Melancholy, in 2009 with dreamy strokes and a palette that whispers more than it shouts. It feels like the kind of piece that evolves, layer by layer, where the process itself is part of the story. Check out the way he builds up the figure's dress; it's almost like watercolor, thin and transparent in places, letting the light through. Then, he throws in these thick, almost fleshy, blobs of paint on her headpiece – they’re so tactile, you almost want to reach out and touch them. Look at how that swirling red form contrasts with the flatness of the dress. It's like he’s playing with weight and lightness, presence and absence, all at the same time. Di Vogo’s work reminds me a bit of Paula Rego, in the sense that they both embrace the weird and unsettling to get at something deeply human. It’s a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about exploring the questions, embracing the mess, and letting the painting lead the way.