Sguardo ubriaco 2007

Enzo Cucchi’s small painting, “Sguardo ubriaco,” roughly translates to “Drunk Look.” We can see here Cucchi’s interest in the emotional intensity and mythical narratives of the Italian Transavantgarde movement of the 1980’s, as well as his deep connection with the landscape and culture of his native Italy. The painting presents a scene full of raw emotionality, with a man, painted in vibrant reds, reaching out to a large, somewhat distorted dog. A lone painter sits in the background. The painting's title suggests altered perception, perhaps hinting at a deeper, more instinctual understanding. "Art is not a profession," Cucchi has said, "Professions are for people who dream of reality; art is for those who don't want to escape the nightmare." The scene’s bold colors and dreamlike quality invites us to consider how our own perspectives shape our interactions with the world and those around us. It evokes a sense of empathy and challenges conventional ways of seeing.