"After the End"

Forgot I had wanted to share this after getting back from Chicago. Despite all the historical and artistically renowed artists the Chicago Art Institute's Museum holds, one of my most favorite pieces was by a more modern artist whose work I was unfamiliar with-- Margherita Manzelli.

Her piece, "Dopo la Fine" ("After the End") was just amazing for me to see up close. A huge, ginormous work, painted from a strange angle. I loooved the bright colors, contrasting with the haunting, shadowy figure, and the woman's blank stare.

It doesn't seem like much in photos, but it was so amazing to just stand in front of it and be pulled in and repelled at the same time. It's size alone was part of the appeal, but also the somewhat skewed, yet eye-level perspective.

It's a little creepy, but that's also why it's so cool. The beautiful bright, cheery patterns of the foreground and her dress lead the viewer's eye to a less content scene. Is she actually dead? Is it an allegory or idea put into human form?

I love the vagueness, the juxtaposition of bright and cheery with sick and gloomy.