Tête dans les nuages 2021

Carlos Sablòn created this painting, Tête dans les nuages, with oil paint to make you look twice and question everything. It’s as if he’s saying, “Hey, art is a playground for ideas, so let’s play!” Check out the way the paint is applied. It's smooth and precise, giving a surreal, dreamlike quality. The contrast between the realistic rendering of the suit and the fantastical tree-head is striking. Notice how the tree's branches reach out like thoughts, connecting the figure to the sky and landscape. It makes me think of how we're all connected to nature, even when we're dressed in our best business attire. The little paper crane is a beautifully rendered detail. It gives the feeling of hope and transformation. Sablòn's work reminds me a little of René Magritte. Both artists play with our expectations, making us see the world in a new and unexpected way. Art like this reminds us that things aren’t always what they seem.