Year: 2015
Medium: acrylic on canvas, silk screen, airbrush, colored pencil, chalk, oil pastel on paper
Dimensions: 76.3 x 57.5 cm (30 x 22 5/8 in.)
Acquired from SBI Art Auction, 2023
This work was exhibited as one of eight works in the series titled “Private Bouquet (Suite of 8).” It is in the style of still-life flowers, which is relatively rare for Bas, as his works often depict the human figure. The bouquet, which should surely be the principal motif of the work, is painted half-obscured behind blinds. The blue blinds are a collage of painted paper, giving a strong impression that Bas intends to hide the flowers in a more materialistic manner. However, there is a duality to the conceit of the blinds hiding the bouquet: the subject is hidden from public view, but the slits in the blinds also allow a furtive gaze from the outside. Bas uses a highly allegorical approach, never overt, to capture the human figure and portray a decadent sensuality. Viewing his work, one is intoxicated by its sweet lyricism. Bas adheres to the still life form in this piece, and yet there seems to be a hidden portrayal of sensuality within it. Given that Bas uses facial expressions and gestures to convey this sensuality when taking the human form as his subject, it is reasonable to assume that the choice of still life as a genre is deliberate. While flowers may not have facial expressions, as a painterly subject they convey a range of symbolic meanings and significances, everything from love to the body, and life and death. It can be surmised that the device of half-hiding a personified bouquet here serves as an even more powerful metaphor. The word “Private” in the title emphasizes this angle. Based on this word, the blinds compel the viewer to be aware of the relationship of their gaze. They are placed in the position of outsiders stealing a glance at this bouquet, which must be an expression of affection to a specific person in an extremely private space. Conversely, this bouquet, never fully exposed, is also a manifestation of the suppressed sensuality that is distinctive of Bas.
