Chrome, 2025

Giclee Print

This painting is part of an ongoing series in which I explore subjects bathed in bright light with minimal shadow. In this work, the sheen of the model’s skin creates a chrome-like surface, giving the painting its title. Throughout the series, I have also been experimenting with rich, dense backgrounds. This technique involves building multiple layers of color on the paper until an earthy texture emerges. The resulting saturation creates a strong contrast with the figure, producing a bold emotional statement.

I continue to draw inspiration from the work of John Singer Sargent. The tension within the composition removes narrative context, forcing the viewer’s gaze to confront the figure directly. The subject’s undraped, cachectic form opens a dialogue that questions Western cultural ideals of femininity and fragility. Her body highlights how patriarchal media regulates and persuades its audience to accept distorted norms, often to the detriment of the viewer.