Photographs, drawings and watercolor works challenge the traditional oil portrait.
According to the art expert, the work looks good and nicely updates the portrait tradition.
He thinks that when the person himself gets to influence the creator of the work, the work will have depth and weight.
If the work is commissioned by an outside party, we often end up with traditional oil paint work, in which case the income angle can be a little different.
The color selection shows Tampere and party selection
A classic question with portraits is whether the work looks and reflects who the person really is.
– Sanna Marin’s work conveys images of what she has become for the general public, Merta assesses.
The strong color of the work is red. Merta sees in the symbolism of the colors a connection to Tampere.
– On the other hand, however, he is a social democrat, and in that sense the color is dear to Marin. Not to mention the emotional issues that can be associated with color symbolism.
The photograph is becoming more common as a portrait
Photography has become commonplace and everyone gets used to taking photos. Juha Merta sees the problem as the fact that now everyone considers themselves a good photographer, because the technology is in their possession and the pictures can easily be made to look nice.
– However, it’s still a long way from being an art picture. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the photo becomes the forefront of future portrait works.
Merta also sees a very traditional drawing or watercolor painting as interesting, the authors of which would have been familiar with working with portraits.
– We have somehow been locked into a portrait painting made with oil paint. The introduction of different techniques into portrait painting culture is healthy and fresh.
There is still another wish for the future: an update to framing.
– If there weren’t always those gold-framed frames, that would be a big leap forward, Juha Merta laughs.
*What thoughts does the story evoke? You can discuss the topic until 11 p.m. on November 22.*