The intense, deep eyes of Rebecca Brodskis’ subjects and their wistful expressions embody such a complex melange of emotions that each of her portraits seems to grant a privileged access to the intimate space of a person’s mind. In Tania-Maria, painted in 2018, the dark-haired woman, whose attention has been caught by something that exists outside of the frame–and therefore outside of the viewer’s perspective–looks absorbed into undecipherable thoughts. Her head is turned towards her left, her lips, painted in a deep red tone, are pursed, an element which perhaps hints at the sign of her apprehensive sense of preoccupation. With her left hand, Tania-Maria gracefully brushes her hair aside.
The bicoloured background, in light and warm shades, is split diagonally into two parts: a creamy, rich ivory and an ochre nuance. Contrasting against the warmth of the background, the grey tones of the woman’s skin make her face appear particularly potent on a visual level, beautifully emphasising the depth and nature of her thoughts.
“My work is a form of exploration through the painting of the relationship between the being and matter and the impact of the social on the individual. Captivated by moments of life that surround me, by discussions, images, or characters, I try to question those fleeting moments of everyday life that we do not remember, but that shape existence. (…) I use this complex richness, the social diversity that surrounds me, the confrontation of cultures and individuals”
— Rebecca Brodskis
Brodskis’ art finds constant inspiration in human faces, be they the unfamiliar ones of unknown passers-by or those of people who are part of her daily life. In facial features, and in their beauty and uniqueness, the French painter identifies endless sources of stimulation to create new artworks. The variety of traits and expressions that she portrays reflects her life experience across different countries and cities: from a childhood spent between France and Morocco, to years in New York, Berlin, Tel Aviv and Paris, to her recent move to Marseille, where she currently lives.
The body pose and the serious, dignified expression of the woman in Tania-Maria recalls Amedeo Modigliani’s 1917 painting Adrienne(Woman with Bangs). If Adrienne’s stare almost brazenly points at the viewer, however, Tania-Maria looks away, appearing more distant and impenetrable. Both paintings, nonetheless, vibrate with a powerful, fierce, ardent female force.
Brodskis studied painting at the Ateliers Beaux-Arts de Paris and later at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in London. She holds a master’s degree in Sociology, with a research focus on the theme of vulnerability and social crisis.
Her artworks have been widely exhibited internationally. Between 2021 and 2022, the French artist presented her poignant portraits at solo shows at Galleria Anna Marra in Rome (7 October 2021 – 13 November 2021) and at Fabienne Levy Gallery in Lausanne (12 April – 4 June 2022). She is currently the subject of a solo exhibition, Let’s Talk about You and Me, at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London.
In June 2022, Phillips achieved the artist’s top auction record with the sale of Amour Propre (Self-Respect) (2020), which hammered down for an impressive 239,400 HKD Premium against an estimate range of 60,000 - 80,000 HKD.
Provenance
Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London Acquired from the above by the present owner