The core

Deep within each of us resides a dark, magmatic core that consumes considerable amounts of energy and seems to possess autonomous purposes.
In the depths of every individual, there is also a spark of radiant light, which surrounds the dark core like a mantle, enveloping it in a constant embrace, ceaselessly seeking to penetrate it.
The interaction between these two polarities, their intricate dance, the ambivalence of being, represents the essence of this artwork.

From a technical perspective, this work has some special characteristics, which differentiates it from my previous artistic works. Firstly, I wanted to give the drawing a more solid, tactile dimension than a typical sheet of paper. Therefore, I mounted the paper on a 1.5 cm thick MDF board.
During the creation of the portrait and lacework, I experimented for the first time with the technique of pencil micro-hatching. This method demands great patience, but allows for seamless transitions between light and shadow, creating – in my opinion – a particularly harmonious visual effect.
The edges of the board are adorned with gold leaf and a hook on the back makes this drawing ready to hang.
Finally, I applied a glossy insulating and fixative varnish, enhancing the background color and imparting a refined effect to the piece.

I hope that this artwork can convey a message of resilience, serving as a reminder to anyone who contemplates it, that around every core of darkness, there is always a light working ceaselessly.

This artwork was inspired by a photographic portrait by Marta Glińska.
Our muse is Sylwia Pokropek.