Pigmalion D 2019

Dragan Ilić Di Vogo painted Pigmalion D with oils, and with a palette that suggests a process of layering and building up to create a dreamlike atmosphere. It's almost psychedelic, right? The surface of the painting is smooth, and the colours blend seamlessly, but when you look closer, you can see how much texture he coaxes from the paint. Look at the area around the ballerina's feet and the way he uses colour to suggest depth, the little pools of light and shadow. Notice how the textures create a reflective surface, suggesting water or a mirrored plane. The background dissolves into these nebulous forms and colours, heightening the sense of unreality. The brushwork is very controlled, creating a luminous quality. This sense of a controlled, surreal space reminds me of Odilon Redon, whose work also combines realism with dreamlike imagery. Both artists seem to suggest that art is a conversation across time. And ultimately, this piece invites us to embrace ambiguity and look for multiple ways to read it, instead of settling on one definitive answer.