Self-Portraits from 1977 to 2021
For many years, I painted a self-portrait every year. I called the series “State of the Art.” Unfortunately, I stopped because I did not want to be perceived as a narcissist. On the other hand, what artist is not a narcissist?
The 2021 example certainly reflects much of what the Covid-19 crisis brought us. At the time of writing, its effects were diverse and far from over.
Only much later did I think of René Magritte’s The Treachery of Images, with its inscription “Ceci n’est pas une pipe.” I thought of tearing my picture up. But in a way, it is my “state of the art” anyway. So it stays.
The 2020 “State of the Art” looked like this, subtitled Homage to Zhang Huan (張洹).
Probably from 1987 or 1988.
From a period when I became fairly familiar with the Chinese ink wash technique.
Looking for older self-portraits, I realised that some were lost, or—as in this case—damaged. I should take better care of my paintings, but I tend to treat them like rubbish. I doubt that the mould stains can be removed. Perhaps I should call it “State of the Art 2050” instead.
This work is from an early stage, but it means a great deal to me. I included one of my closest friends, standing in the doorway. He died tragically soon afterwards.
As I said, I made many self-portraits. The first work in a cycle is always interesting. What can I say? I was very young…
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State of the Art: The Self-Portrait Series · State of the Art 2022 · State of the Art 2025
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