2023 (2000)

Atrabile

A cathartic painting started during a 'black bile' period completed 23yrs later.

This is painting I did at 23. It’s called Atrabile [black bile] ’cause, in the Hippocratic medicine, is one of the four humours of the human body, connected to the ‘melancholic’ temperament. It represents the state of depression and disorientation I plummeted into for quite a long period back then.

Atrabile (2000) 2022, first version still uncomplete.

Atrabile (2000) 2022, first version still uncomplete.

I felt lost and yet vital, I guess this image expresses these feelings quite accurately: a great expanse of snow, a dark peaky mountain in the horizon, a bloody sky or maybe on fire in the background.

Making art was totally far from my dreams or purposes, yet I needed a way to express this malaise and painting came in handy and naturally. I now completed it with coloured scribbles, representing a new cycle and perhaps a reconnection with my “inner child” and made some variation studies.

Profile Atrabile (2000) 2022 - finally completed with crayons scribbles.

Profile Atrabile (2000) 2022 – finally completed with crayons scribbles.