The artwork features a striking close-up of a male figure against a deep blue background. The subject is depicted in bold, geometric shapes of warm orange and red hues, creating a powerful, almost mask-like expression. The stylized, abstract treatment of the face and the dramatic use of color and shadow suggest an Expressionist approach, emphasizing the emotional intensity and psychological depth of the subject. The artist's intention may have been to convey a sense of strength, determination, or perhaps inner turmoil through this bold, visually striking portrait. ...
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.
...
