Title of the Work of Art:

Totem

Date of Creation:
2017-2023

Genre:
Portrait
Period-Movement:
Neo Cubism, Deconstructivism
Technique:
Painting
Materials:
Original digital artwork
Dimensions:
Not Stated


Artwork Description:
This neo-cubist, deconstructivist portrait stands as a testament to the traumas and anxieties of the contemporary era: wars, urban terror, and the specter of violence. The work calls for a collective act of reconstruction and renewal, reminiscent of post-war rebuilding efforts across Europe, in which communities came together to restore both their physical and social landscapes. Eschewing the conventions of official portraiture, Chiao conjures a totemic, paternal figure marked by age and fatigue, yet animated by vibrant triangles and interlocking meshes. This distorted portrait becomes a site of resilience, echoing initiatives such as the Marshall Plan, which sought to rejuvenate war-torn economies and reinvigorate societal structures, symbolizing a reconstruction of the self in postwar times.