Antigona 2012

Carmen Delaco made this oil painting, titled "Antigona," with layered brushstrokes that convey depth and emotion. The painting's material qualities deeply influence its appearance; oil paint allows for rich textures and subtle gradations. Delaco's application method reveals each stroke, building up layers to create a sense of volume and dimension. These processes imbue the artwork with a tangible quality. The visible labor involved adds to its expressive power, highlighting the artist's skilled manipulation of the medium, a technique that places the work within a tradition of painterly expression. While the materials are conventional, the technique defies the slickness of mechanical reproduction. Ultimately, understanding the material and the making process is crucial to appreciating the artwork's full meaning. This approach challenges traditional distinctions between high art and craft, emphasizing the value of skilled handwork.