Natasha Lelenco, Fragmented Portrait with Red Surface Expansion Inspired by the Dream of Ariadne, 2023, Mixed Media

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This mixed-media work on paper, canvas and wood forms part of the artist’s ongoing Fragments series, a body of work … Read more This mixed-media work on paper, canvas and wood forms part of the artist’s ongoing Fragments series, a body of work in which ruptured framing, material tension and partial figuration become strategies for addressing the limits of what can be represented. In this piece, a finely painted fragment of a reclining head lies at the lower edge of the composition, while a large expanse of red textured paper—crumpled, torn and forcefully extended beyond the frame—overtakes the surrounding space. The contrast between the realistic rendering of the figure and the sculptural surface of the red material introduces a sense of imbalance and dislocation central to the series. This work draws on the myth of Ariadne, who after guiding Theseus through the labyrinth is abandoned on an island and falls into a dream that marks the threshold of a new, uncertain life stage. The painting echoes this suspended state: the figure appears caught between presence and disappearance, rest and rupture, enveloped by an overwhelming field of red that suggests both protection and erasure. The expanded surface functions like the dream that overtakes Ariadne—an atmosphere that blurs reality, obscures the body and transforms the familiar into something unstable and unknowable. The hybrid construction—paper adhered to canvas and wood, painted drapery, and an integrated frame partially consumed by the expanded material—emphasizes the tension between what is visible and what escapes the image. The torn edges and irregular textures highlight the fragility of the scene, while the displacement of the figure questions the boundaries between painting, relief and sculptural objecthood. Ideal for collectors drawn to concept-driven contemporary art, this piece offers a powerful combination of figurative precision, raw materiality and mythological resonance. Support: Paper adhered to canvas and wood Frame: Integrated wooden frame Medium: Mixed media (paper, acrylic, canvas, wood) Dimensions: 160x110x8 cm. 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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