The Acrobat and the Listener — Small Abstract Figurative Drawing (8 X 8 In, 2025)

Details

Description

The Acrobat and the Listener unfolds like a miniature carnival suspended in mid-movement. At first glance, the eye is pulled … Read more The Acrobat and the Listener unfolds like a miniature carnival suspended in mid-movement. At first glance, the eye is pulled toward the tall, ribbon-like figures on each side—two elongated acrobats whose bodies twist in vibrant arcs of red, yellow, blue, and black. Their gestures are airy and theatrical, as though caught in a dance where gravity is only a suggestion. Their small oval faces, floating like independent moons above their bodies, add an element of gentle surrealism, echoing the playful freedom of your Tourliboulis world.

Between them, a curious creature emerges: part fish, part storyteller, part messenger. With its gridded pattern, dotted textures, and a red watchful eye, it seems to be listening more than speaking—absorbing the rhythm around it. Its curved body anchors the composition, creating a quiet center amid all the motion.

Above, several small floating heads drift like thought-bubbles, each one observing the interaction below. They add an extra layer of introspection to the scene, as if the characters are being watched by their own inner selves. The black curved strokes that cut across the page add musicality and direction, guiding the viewer through the acrobatic dance.

The entire piece feels like a dialogue between movement and stillness—between those who leap and those who listen. It is dynamic, yet soft—fluid, yet grounded. In your signature language of dots, stripes, and bold color contrasts, the drawing becomes a moment of joyful performance frozen inside an intimate, dreamlike space.

I love this piece because it feels alive—like a scene from a secret circus where every character has a story. The sweeping forms, the gentle humor, and the bold theatrical colors give it a kinetic beauty. The contrast between the energetic acrobats and the tender, observant creature below creates a balance that is pure Nathalie: whimsical, poetic, and full of soul. It’s a drawing that invites both delight and interpretation.

Material & Size:
Oil markers on unstretched paper — 8 x 8 in.
Signed N. Gribinski on the front. See less