Portrait 

George Bouzianis's portrait is formed from charcoal smudges on paper. It is rendered in muted shades of gray and brown, the figure emerges from a nebulous background. The composition is almost entirely tonal. The artist employs charcoal not for precise lines but for atmospheric effect. This recalls the symbolist interest in expressing inner states through suggestive form. The diffuse quality of the charcoal blurs the distinction between subject and background, challenging the traditional idea of portraiture. We can relate this to post-structuralist ideas about the instability of meaning. Here, Bouzianis avoids fixed representation, suggesting that identity is fluid, always in process. The lack of clear outlines destabilizes any definitive reading, inviting us to consider the ways in which representation can both reveal and conceal. This portrait emphasizes the ephemeral nature of form and meaning. Bouzianis's focus on the textural qualities of charcoal underscores the role of the material itself in shaping our perception. This encourages ongoing interpretation.