Besim Kastrati 2015

Gazmend Freitag drew this portrait of Besim Kastrati in 2015, using graphite on paper. It's all about the process of looking and responding. I love how the lines vary. Some are soft and sketchy, like around the scarf, and others are dark and defined, especially those eyeglasses. The artist isn't trying to hide anything; the construction of the image is right there on the surface. It reminds me that making art is like a conversation, a back-and-forth between seeing and doing. Check out the shading on the left side of the face. There is a ton of it, and it gives Besim a lot of weight and volume, which makes me wonder if Freitag chose to focus on this detail, metaphorically. To me, that build-up of mark making, that layering, is what gives the piece its charge. Think about the work of Lucian Freud. Both artists share a similar commitment to raw, honest observation. It's this dedication that makes art feel alive and meaningful.