Natasha Lelenco, Dionysian Women's Gathering, 2019, Acrylic Painting

In this Monumental painting, Natasha Lelenco explores the mythological characters of the Bacchantes through a contemporary and uninhibited interpretation of Tiziano's Bacchanal of the Andrians. The artwork, with a feminist approach, depicts an indoor scene where a group of women is portrayed as if it were a battlefield in the moments following a banquet, with ideas such as empowerment, personal autonomy, mutual support and sisterhood, floating around. Crafted with acrylic on board and glued canvas, lending it a certain collage-like dimension, the artwork seamlessly blends elements of the artist's distinctive figuration with intentionally outlined or incomplete flat figures, particularly evident in the portrayal of still-life elements on the table. Set against a backdrop of a domestic scene, the painting depicts a gathering of women, some nude, in a post-alcohol ambiance at the table of a grand banquet, with a floral motif reminiscent of patterns found in Eastern European rugs and tapestries. The piece delves into the theme of descents into hell, connecting with the enduring presence of the Dionysian as a recurring motif in art history—an element inherent to both the human experience and the arts themselves. This interpretation offers a feminist perspective on a mythological theme, providing a nuanced exploration of the subject matter. The artwork is crafted on 4 detachable panels, which allows it to be shipped in a compactly sized box despite its large format. Upon arrival, it must be assembled using the provided assembly and hanging guide and hardware. Natasha Lelenco, born in Chișinău, Moldova in 1982, is a prominent Moldovan painter and contemporary artist who has been residing in Galicia, Spain, since 2008. She is especially known for her figurative work, particularly in the realm of portraiture. Holding a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Cluj-Napoca in Romania, her art has been featured in numerous international exhibitions and art fairs. Natasha Lelenco's art has been showcased across exhibitions in Spain, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Mexico, and beyond. Natasha Lelenco's approach is figurative, primarily centered on the human form, which she understands as an integral part of life rather than its core. Her themes encompass identity, self-awareness, and the role of chance in shaping the value of things and life itself. Her artistic journey has given rise to self-contained series where narrative and format harmonize, often springing from a playful interplay of repetition, color juxtapositions, deformations in pursuit of psychological realism, and a selective use of elements and resources available in her studio.