Mamalangue n. 5 2001

Bracha Ettinger’s ‘Mamalangue n. 5’ is a painting concerned with the process of emergence. Ettinger works with veils of colour, often using thin layers, to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Look at how the burgundy bleeds into the canvas, creating soft, hazy forms. It’s almost as if the images are just coming into being, like memories or half-formed thoughts. The surface feels both delicate and raw, with the texture of the canvas playing an important role in the overall effect. The dominant burgundy and pink hues evoke a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, while the muted background creates a feeling of distance or otherworldliness. I think of artists like Cy Twombly, who also used layering and erasure to create a sense of history and palimpsest. Ultimately, Ettinger’s work invites us to embrace ambiguity and to find beauty in the ephemeral nature of existence.