The artwork features a bold, expressive portrait against a vibrant red and blue background. The focal point is a stylized face with distinct features, rendered in warm, earthy tones that capture the rich complexion of the subject. The painting's strong, angular brushstrokes and the contrast between the bold colors create a dynamic, energetic composition. This contemporary piece suggests the artist's intention to explore themes of identity, emotion, and the human experience through a visually striking and unconventional portrayal. ...
Deniz Pasha is a Turkish-Sudanese artist whose practice includes painting, print-making, performance, and installation. She explores the ongoing impact of the Ottoman Empire's treatment of African individuals, specifically as it relates to the experiences of immigrants and migrants currently living in Turkey. Using portraiture, symbolism, and motifs, Pasha highlights the ways in which the historical exploitation of African labor is mirrored in the marginalized and hidden lives of immigrant workers in Turkey. By using critical race theory, she examines the labor practices and laws impacting contemporary African immigrants, and aims to shed light on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities. Her artistic process is deeply influenced by intellectual thought and literature, and drawing inspiration from writers such as August Wilson and Toni Morrison, she conducts research, artistic and poetic thinking emerges, leading her to start sketching. This process results in a diverse collection of portraits that are connected by a common thread, forming a cohesive and synergistic body of work.
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