#16957 Monica Ozamiz Fortis

The artwork presents a fragmented portrait set against a stark black background. The face, seemingly that of a young woman, is constructed from angular planes and bold color blocks rather than rendered with traditional modeling techniques. A palette dominated by shades of blue, green-yellow, and purple creates an unsettling yet compelling visual effect.
Here we see the eyes deeply recessed within their sockets, accentuated by dark blue lines that suggest both shadow and a sense of melancholy or introspection. The nose is sharply defined, almost geometric in its form, while the mouth appears small and subtly downturned, hinting at sadness or resignation. A prominent vertical line traces down the center of the face, dividing it into distinct planes and contributing to the overall feeling of fragmentation.
The surface texture is significant; a network of fine cracks covers the entire composition, resembling aged plaster or ancient fresco. This visual aging lends an air of timelessness and perhaps alludes to themes of memory, decay, or the passage of time. The cracks also disrupt the smooth flow of color, adding another layer of complexity to the portraits emotional impact.
The limited tonal range and the stark contrast between the face and background contribute to a sense of isolation and confinement. The artist’s choice to depict only the upper portion of the figure further emphasizes this feeling of being cut off or incomplete.
Subtly, there is an echo of Byzantine iconography in the flattened planes and stylized features, though the overall aesthetic diverges significantly through its use of modern color palettes and fractured composition. This juxtaposition suggests a dialogue between tradition and modernity, perhaps exploring themes of identity, representation, and the enduring power of artistic heritage. The signature at the bottom right corner appears hastily rendered, further contributing to the sense of immediacy and raw emotion conveyed by the work.