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

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

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