Stereochrome 

Troy Brooks made this alluring portrait with oil on canvas. The effect is striking; the precise gradation of light across the figure's skin is achieved through blending layers of paint to create a smooth surface. Brooks' technical skill, referencing the traditions of Renaissance portraiture, draws our attention to a different kind of ‘making’, one central to the figure’s identity: her elaborate makeup. This isn't just cosmetic, it is intrinsic to her persona. Like the pearls she is adorned with, it emphasizes a kind of manufactured beauty. The artist’s labor mirrors hers, a convergence of art and artifice. Ultimately, Brooks asks us to consider the amount of work involved in the construction of identity. He highlights the ways in which the crafting of our appearances is deeply intertwined with social expectations and the relentless pursuit of beauty.