This surreal painting features a large, prominent ear juxtaposed against a vibrant, lush orange tree. The composition is dominated by the warm, saturated colors of the citrus fruit and verdant foliage, creating a visually striking contrast with the pale, fleshy tones of the isolated ear. The artist's precise brushwork and attention to detail accentuate the organic forms and textures, while the unusual perspective and juxtaposition of elements evoke a sense of dreamlike, subconscious imagery. The juxtaposition of the ear and the natural world suggests themes of perception, awareness, and the relationship between the human body and the natural environment. ...
Michael Hilsman makes non-literal paintings of objects and figures that explore the absurdity, magic, and latent spirituality of the physical world.
Utilizing formats associated with classical painting such as portraiture and still life, and employing a wide visual vocabulary ranging from naturalism to expressionism, Hilsman builds monumental paintings whose objects and figures are in a state of dissolution and fragmentation, often seeming to disattach from themselves and form anew, appearing both familiar and foreign.
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