Fabio Modica | Marylin - mixed media on canvas - cm 150x150 | 59x59 inches | Aberson Exhibits - USA

I came up with this representation of Marylin by accident. It was my first black&white painting and it was not meant to depict her. It came through as a vortex of energy during an experiment on the pictorial effects of large strokes of black varnish smeared on a white canvas. Soon after, as I was looking at a photo of the actress, I realized that the fresh paint could still be shaped into her face. This is what was left on the canvas thirty minutes later. It is a dramatic rendering of the character behind the scenes, far from the traditional bright colors of her iconic beauty. Psychological introspection and sharp contrasts are key elements in what I consider as one of my best works.