The artwork titled “One out of Two (symposium)” was created by the artist Jenny Saville in 2016. It is a part of the Neo-Expressionism movement, deeply rooted in figurative themes with a particular focus on nude painting (nu). Saville is recognized for her powerful and raw portrayals of the human form, often addressing themes of identity, beauty, and corporeality.
The artwork presents a dynamic and complex composition that embodies Saville’s fascination with the human body’s capacity for change and perception. The painting depicts a nude figure in what appears to be a reclined and introspective pose. The palette is largely monochromatic, with a careful use of reds that draw attention and suggest a depth of emotion and vitality. The figure’s form is rendered with a sense of palpable weight and volume, achieved through the use of heavy, expressive brushstrokes that communicate the fleshy texture of the skin and the corporeal presence of the body.
Overlaying the figure are a multitude of swirling, gestural lines and marks that create a sense of movement and abstraction. This visual cacophony may signify the turmoil of internal thought or the chaos of surrounding influences. The multiple perspectives and overlapping forms suggest a fragmentation of identity, a recurring theme in Saville’s work that explores how a single body can hold diverse and multifaceted experiences.
The raw and tactile quality of the artwork, along with the subtlety of tones and the interplay of line and form, make it a compelling study of the human condition, challenging viewers to confront the complexities of self and the physicality of existence. Jenny Saville’s exploration in “One out of Two (symposium)” stands as a poignant discourse on embodiment, offering a visceral and psychological depth that exemplifies Neo-Expressionist art.
