2007
Oil on canvas
183 x 133cm

Mustafa Maluka’s portraits of imaginary people evolve from photographic images which catch his eye in magazines and on the internet. He is drawn to images of anonymous people who have a connecting gaze and a presence, and their features are a starting point for his portraits. However, these faces, in the process of painting, take on a life of their own and, at the time of completion, seldom bear any resemblance to the image that inspired the artist. These monumental portraits of made-up characters are given titles that are phrases from lyrics and music rather than references to the identity of the sitter. Accordingly, they become metaphors for sentiments and emotions rather than a representation of a sitter. Even though Maluka only paints head-and-shoulder portraits in this one format, each face is distinctly individuated in its expressions and stance. He achieves this quality by building up layers of washes on the faces to determine the mood of the work. These painterly passages are in turn contrasted by the flat colour and bold pattern and design elements of the clothes and background that pulsate and accentuate the aura of the imaginary persona.

Maluka had a solo show at Michael Stevenson in February/March and another with Bertrand & Gruner in Geneva in September. He has an upcoming exhibition with Mikael Andersen in Berlin in January 2008. His paintings will be included on Flow at the Studio Museum in Harlem in April.

© 2007 Michael Stevenson. All rights reserved.