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Artwork Description

In his ongoing exploration of the evolution of the back of heads into volcanic plumes, Robert Janitz once again elevates this theme through his innovative application of paint. Utilizing baking flour and a wax medium, he engages the paint in a process reminiscent of almost photographic development. The striking contrast between the prominence and subtlety of the artist's hand in his expansive brush strokes creates a materiality that not only emphasizes the medium itself but also serves as a conduit for creative interpretation. The self-reflective quality of the impasto now takes on an almost random anthropomorphic presence. His work inquiries into the propensity of the human mind to attribute representational significance to the most minimal painted gestures; the brushstrokes maintain their independence while evoking imagery of a volcanic plume, an abstracted head, or simply the act of mark-making. The iconic Popocatépetl, a personified volcano, alongside its counterpart Iztaccíhuatl, stands prominently visible on clear days from Mexico City, narrating a tale of love that is deeply woven into the fabric of Mexican identity. Furthermore, his work reflects on the duality of what lies before our eyes: both an inanimate natural formation and a rich local legend, serving as a vital anchor for cultural identity.