Thomas Stelzer 2021

Gazmend Freitag drew "Thomas Stelzer" with graphite, probably on paper, in 2021. You know, when you’re drawing a portrait, you’re kind of building up this person’s face, line by line. I can see the artist laying down all these marks, hatching with his pencil to build up the form of the head. It’s amazing how much emotion comes through just with the angle of the lines around the eyes and the mouth. Look at how the lines create texture, giving a sense of depth and presence. The artist, Freitag, is kind of working in conversation with other portraitists. Maybe he admires the graphic qualities of a Hockney? Or the directness of Alice Neel? All these artists pass their ideas around, so the next artist can add something new. Like, what can a line do? How do you make a mark? It's an ongoing, open-ended question. And that’s what makes it exciting.