Ana Silva's "Untitled" painting presents a portrait characterized by its warm skin tones in striking contrast with the figure's black garments and the dark elements of the background. The artist employs a painterly style in rendering the figure, utilizing expressive brushstrokes to suggest details rather than delving into meticulous, fine-grained intricacies. The painting's primary appeal lies in its composition, painterly suggestions, and the beautiful yet simple chromatic scheme.

Details:
Artist: Ana Silva
Date: 1996
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 12 x 12 cm
Condition Report: In good condition
Label: Located on the verso

About the artist:
Ana Silva, born in 1979 in Calulo, Angola, and currently residing and working in Lisbon, Portugal, is an artist with a profound appetite for creation. Her early years were marked by isolation on a farm where her creativity blossomed. She experimented with objects, often distorting them to create what she describes as "weird things." This artistic sensibility was initially a source of concern for her family, leading to a visit to a psychologist who affirmed her artistic nature.

She later pursued her artistic education at the ArCo Higher School in Lisbon, where she engaged with various artistic forms such as painting, sculpture, and artistic installation. Ana Silva's creativity is characterized by her diverse choice of materials, which include canvas, wood, metal, acrylic, and fabric. She frequently repurposes materials found during her walks through the markets of Luanda, transforming them into art.

Ana Silva's work is deeply influenced by her experiences in Angola, especially during times of war and limited access to materials. Her creativity emerged from her exploration of her immediate environment. She particularly emphasizes sewing and often combines lace with African fabrics and colors in her work.

Her art is a testament to her mixed cultural heritage, featuring intricate lace and nets that reveal female figures. Ana Silva's aesthetic subtly conveys narratives within lace and fabric. Her work is divided into several series, including "Agua," which sheds light on the scarcity of water in Angola despite its abundance, particularly impacting women and children.

Another series, "Child," explores the deprivation of childhood experiences due to the need to seek water. "Grandmother," a recurring theme in her work, explores the transmission of knowledge and complicity between herself, her grandmother, and her daughter.

In addition to her visual art, Ana Silva is also a writer, using poetry and short stories to complement her artwork. Her texts are filled with memories and stories from her upbringing, often weaving familiar faces and striking images. According to the artist, both her visual art and writing aim to allow the imaginary to save the real.