Intimate Partners Etienne Delessert

The artwork presents a striking visual puzzle, constructed from stacked profiles that coalesce into a singular, vertical form. The composition is immediately arresting due to its unconventional arrangement and the interplay of contrasting tones. Here we see a series of faces, each rendered in profile view, seemingly layered one upon another. These are not distinct individuals but rather segments of what appears to be a single entity, their features subtly shifting from one layer to the next.
The color palette is restricted primarily to shades of dark blue or black and pale beige or cream. This limited range contributes significantly to the work’s overall mood – an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and perhaps even melancholy. The stark contrast between these colors emphasizes the segmentation of the faces, highlighting their individual presence while simultaneously underscoring their integration within a larger whole.
The artist has chosen to depict each face with a degree of realism; the eyes are particularly expressive, conveying a range of emotions from weariness to quiet observation. However, this realism is disrupted by the unnatural stacking and merging of these profiles. The effect is unsettling, prompting questions about identity, perception, and the nature of connection.
Subtly, there’s an implication of duality or multiplicity within a single being. It could be interpreted as a commentary on the complexities of human relationships – how individuals can simultaneously possess distinct identities while also being intrinsically linked to others. The layering suggests a history, a sequence of experiences that have shaped and layered upon one another to form the present self.
The absence of any background or surrounding context further isolates the central figure, forcing the viewer’s attention onto the fragmented faces and their silent dialogue. This isolation amplifies the sense of introspection and invites contemplation on themes of identity, connection, and the multifaceted nature of human existence. The work doesnt offer easy answers; instead, it poses questions about how we perceive ourselves and others, and the ways in which our identities are shaped by our interactions with the world around us.