This work is to explore the static performance of memory in dynamic time. My friend is the protagonist in the photo, and what is recorded is a conversation between me and her about memory. This is the memory of a conversation between me and her from my viewpoint, the expression and documentation of the memory in the present time. For her, it is the experience she recalled in the past, and the memories that happened in the past are recorded through her facial expressions. The feelings you have when you see this work are memories that happened in the future.

Duan, JX. (2021) I think what I think [oil painting].
150 x 140 cm
Camberwell, London
Sort of images of work in a gallery situation
Brooke DiDonato
Surrealism artworks contain artists' unconscious and conscious memory which are unnerving, illogical scenes, sometimes with photographic precision, creating strange creatures from everyday objects. Additionally, the painting techniques of surrealism allow the unconscious to express itself. That reminds me of Miles Johnston's painting. He uses graphite portraits to distort and intertwine subjects to visualize metaphors of the body. His paintings seem to be narrative by himself, not only helping the artist to describe a story but also telling his own story. Moreover, it is consistent with the creative way of intertwined and contorted figures from surreal new portraits by Brooke DiDonato.That convinces me to use this way to portray conscious and unconscious memory in my portraiture.

Brooke DiDonato's Surreal new portraits

Brooke DiDonato's Surreal new portraits