The artwork titled “As Normal as Possible” by Dana Schutz, created in 2015, is a portrait representative of the Neo-Expressionism movement.
The portrait features an exaggerated and distorted depiction of a figure with oversized, bulging eyes and facial features that appear somewhat surreal. The face is characterized by vivid strokes of color, primarily yellows and pinks, bringing an almost cartoonish quality to the piece. The subject’s hair is rendered with dramatic, thick brushstrokes in brown and black tones, suggesting motion or agitation. The figure is dressed in a green jacket with an orange collar, depicted with bold, heavy application of paint that adds depth and texture. In the background, the scene is abstract, with a dark, undefined structure and a depiction of a police car, adding an element of narrative or context. The overall composition evokes a sense of heightened emotion or psychological tension, common in Neo-Expressionist works.
