White mask 2021

Sergey Piskunov painted this close-up of a face in a mask using oil paint with incredible precision. Imagine the process of applying paint to canvas, building up layers to create such a realistic image! The white mask itself is cracking, almost like the surface of an old painting. It makes me think about time and how surfaces change. I wonder, was Piskunov thinking about the masks we wear, both literally and figuratively? The texture of the mask looks thick and almost brittle against the smooth skin. The eyes are so lifelike, they seem to be looking right through you! And then, bam! Those bright pink lips! It's unexpected, a real jolt. Piskunov’s hyperrealism reminds me of Chuck Close, but with a touch of surreal drama. Artists are always riffing off each other, you know, having this ongoing visual conversation through their work. Each brushstroke is a thought, a feeling, a question. And it’s up to us, the viewers, to join in on the dialogue.