Nene 2022

Dragan Ilić Di Vogo made this painting, Nene, using paint to conjure up a dreamlike vision. It's all about how the colors and textures come together, like a puzzle where each piece is a feeling. Looking closely, I see how the paint’s been layered, sometimes thick, sometimes thin, creating this depth. Near the girl’s face, there are these delicate washes of color, so transparent they seem to glow from within. Then, your eye is drawn to the headdress of swirling forms; flowers and odd creatures. It's like a world is growing right out of her head. That little fish near the bottom left, with its bright blue and orange, it’s so small, but it adds this playful contrast to the whole piece. It reminds me of the art of Remedios Varo, where the everyday is mixed with the fantastical. Ultimately, it's all about how we see, think, and feel our way through the world.