Red Balcony Rain

The image of the balcony has been a recurring one in my work. I very often repeat images, giving a sense of déjà vu, reinforcing ideas and feelings of observation and belonging which are hinted at by the balcony itself. I see myself as an observer, both from the point of view of a painter and from that of an immigrant. Most of my works describe areas of border, landscapes or places of transition, the balcony being no exception here. It is presented both as point of view and as barrier, clearly defining a limit and underlining its dual prohibiting and protective nature. The balcony/barrier becomes a metaphor for the painting itself as object, underlining key elements of its nature and of our relationship with it in the contemporary world.

The image is a collage from many sources, all coming from direct experience. The act of putting it together is for me one of eliminating unnecessary elements, an act of distillation to that which cannot be reduced any more. The balcony becomes a device enabling me to interact with things which are lost and with things with which I have to face but are alien or unknown to me.