Melancolia, 2021
synthetic polymer paint, gouache on 18 canvasboards, nos. 111901–111918
227 x 70.5 cm

Melancolia (2021) is based on a woodblock print by Anselm Kiefer. In a way, Tillers’ technique is quite similar to the process of woodblock printing. His imagery and letters are created by carving into a layer of masking tape on the surface of each canvasboard. The resulting sharp lines and paint bleeds share an aesthetic resonance with woodblock prints. Kiefer’s composition is an enigmatic self-portrait, with a central figure that appears to be growing from the ground, crowned with the drooping head of a ripened sunflower. When fully grown, sunflowers are roughly human height and they have often been used in art as stand in for the human figure. 

Imants Tillers Melancolia (detail), 2021; synthetic polymer paint, gouache on 18 canvasboards, nos. 111901–111918; 227 x 70.5 cm; enquire
(detail)
Imants Tillers Melancolia (detail), 2021; synthetic polymer paint, gouache on 18 canvasboards, nos. 111901–111918; 227 x 70.5 cm; enquire
(detail)
Imants Tillers Melancolia (detail), 2021; synthetic polymer paint, gouache on 18 canvasboards, nos. 111901–111918; 227 x 70.5 cm; enquire
(detail)
Imants Tillers Melancolia (detail), 2021; synthetic polymer paint, gouache on 18 canvasboards, nos. 111901–111918; 227 x 70.5 cm; enquire
(detail)