Natasha Lelenco, Currency #258, 2025, Painting on Wood

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"quelli che partono portano il mare negli occhi." (italian → "those who leave carry the sea in their eyes.") a … Read more "quelli che partono portano il mare negli occhi." (italian → "those who leave carry the sea in their eyes.") a striking piece from the currencies series, this round artwork (26 cm diameter, 2 cm thick) features a delicately painted female portrait against a warm yellow background. The subject, rendered in rich, blended tones with hyperrealist detail, gazes forward with an expression marked by longing. Her skin appears infused with subtle aquatic textures, as if embodying the phrase encircling the piece—suggesting memory, distance, and the silent weight of departure. The inscription, in italian, poetically conveys the way migration carries the past within the body, with the sea as a symbol of both origin and transition. Part of natasha lelenco’s currencies (i am sorry, i am not from here), a growing body of work with over 200 unique pieces, this series examines migration, belonging, and displacement. The portraits oscillate between intimate realism and expressive distortion, drawing from diverse influences—urban art, portraiture, and contemporary figuration—to explore identity through a multiplicity of visual languages. The arbitrary pricing of these coins plays conceptually with the idea of social and economic disparity, underscoring how value is often assigned based on origin rather than essence. Designed to be displayed as a standalone piece or as part of a multi-panel installation, these works seamlessly integrate into high-end interior projects. The series has captured the interest of leading design studios, demonstrating its adaptability beyond conceptual discourse. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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