The Hunter 1933

Yannoulis Chalepas' 'The Hunter' embodies a raw, hands-on engagement with the material. You can tell this piece isn't just about an idea, but about the artist's process. The texture, the way the plaster builds up, feels almost like geological layers. The rough surfaces catch the light, creating shadows that animate the figure. Think about how Chalepas worked that plaster. The marks are direct, almost urgent. This isn't smooth, classical marble; it's something more immediate, more felt. Look closely at the way the figure's tunic falls, like a cascade of rough, quick gestures. It reminds me of the way Guston used to build up forms in his late paintings, clumsy, but full of feeling. And the little dog, so close to the hunter's legs - there is a tenderness there, a shared vulnerability. Artmaking isn’t about perfection, it’s about embracing the struggle and the unexpected.