The Observer And The Observed 1986

"The Observer And The Observed," a 1986 painting by Michael Hafftka, features three figures set against a stark dark background. The central figure, a seemingly skeletal form, is positioned between an empty doorway and a large, disembodied head. The composition, framed by a thin blue stripe on either side, uses gestural brushstrokes to create a sense of disquiet and uncertainty. The work explores themes of isolation and the relationship between observer and subject, reflecting the anxieties of the postmodern era.