MCA Mouth Full Of Smoke - Essay Example

Lecturer Angel Otero’s Mouth Full of Smoke Angel Otero is well known as a visual artist that produces process-based paintings. One of his paintings is the Mouth Full of Smoke, which is made up of oil paint and oil paint skin collaged on canvas. He was trying to convey memories based on his family memorabilia and photographs combined with the 20th century gestures and paintings. Angel Otero was probably attempting to bring out the memory of a close relative who used to smoke. The piece of artwork reveals Otero’s unique process of narrating his deepest memories.

His deformation painting represents the artist’s perception of the process of reconfiguring both historical and personal narratives. The piece has made use of process to confront deep, personal memories. He wanted to portray the history of paint in a very physical and materialistic process. Through the approach, the piece gives a big hint of painting history. So many artists have used oil paints over so many centuries. He also felt that oil painting artworks are a challenged medium in the modern times.

Additionally, the artist used oil paint to bring out the physicality of the piece and to portray the human body. The artwork piece evoked a strong feeling of abstract expressionism since it transits from representational to unrecognizable abstractions. The unique process of painting that Otero used conspicuously brought out materiality. I could not clearly figure out the subject matter of the painting since it is totally abstract. It is full of different colors and lines that do not convey any clear image.

However, what attracted me most to this painting is the contrasting colors that the artist has used in this composition. Bright colors such as yellow and white are used to create a contrast with dark colors consisting of black and other dull colors. The use of this technique evokes a feeling of conflicts such as a conflicting idea or a particular struggle. I could deduce that the author meant to portray the personal conflicts that individuals such as smokers sometimes encounter in the social sphere.

Looking at the image, I also felt that it is absolutely a unique composition, which has used elements of art tactfully for a full composition. The author has employed elements such as depth, space, shape, line, and texture. Texture, for instance, stands out, as the image appears rough to the touch and this made me rethink the message Otero wishes to portray with this painting. The roughness perhaps is an indication of tough experiences. When I see a painting of such a texture, what comes to mind is an emotional connection that the author seeks to arouse in his audience.

Overall, the painting is skillfully done, visually captivating, and typical of the artist’s traditional style and intentions.