Year: 2022
Medium: charcoal on paper
Dimensions: 65 x 100 cm (25 5/8 x 39 3/8 in.)
Acquired from Pace Gallery, 2022
This work is part of the first full-scale charcoal drawing series for Ghenie, who is mainly known in the field of painting. As often noted in comparison to artists such as Otto Dix and Willem de Kooning, Ghenie's works are situated somewhere between figuration and abstraction. He is known for his expression of seemingly exposing what is hidden within the human spirit and body. In his previous works on canvas, the smooth strokes created by the fluidity of paint have amplified that characteristic through the depiction in what could be described as a sensuality with a sense of soft flesh. However, in this work, a completely different material of charcoal on paper is used, and Ghenie brilliantly achieves his unique and vivid expressions with canvas and paint. Even though the work is in monochrome, the control of shading is so rich as if it evokes colors. The contrast of the charcoal lines running fluently on paper fully depict the dark side that seems to seep out of the drooping figure. Perhaps a projection of Ghenie’s own aversion to new technology, the smartphone-like object gripped in the figure’s hand seems to be symbolizing the uncertainty that covers the entire work.
