Rtue’s recent series Still Life 2 seems lively and vibrant due to a vigorous utilization of color as well as straight and traversed lines. The subtle but multilayered and painterly background recalls the vulnerability and unease of last year’s series, as well as global situation. The foreground is dominated by hard edges, which have a stencil-like, two-dimensional, geometric effect. One can literally feel the sharply delineated applications of paint against each other. Although the painting techniques in the background and foreground couldn’t be more contrasting, the works seem captivating, full and well-balanced at the same time.
In Rtue’s paintings there is only a fine line between abstraction and figuration. Rtue’s activity as a writer is always distinguished in his artistic practice. The constant curiosity and the steady urge to research and practice from outside to inside and vice versa is of supreme importance for the artist. Thus, it is noticeable that his activity in public space as well as in studio painting nourish mutually. The viewer is allowed to plunge into the composition and find their own new meanings.
Tania Di Brita
