Colin Chillag
Being There Then (Marin Headlands), 2017-2018
"Most of my work in recent years has been in the genre of portraiture, both individual and …
Portraitist Colin Chillag renders the minute details of his subjects’ faces, leaving portions of his preparatory sketches uncovered and placing errant brushstrokes in areas, in order to reveal the artist’s hand. Chillag’s work is characterized by the various layers of his artworks—the drawing beneath, unmodified colors, even the mixing and testing of pigments are visible in the final image. “I have no real desire to complete the illusion by finishing a painting,” Chillag explains. The subjects of his works are primarily based on personal, everyday snapshots the artist takes. He cites documentary films, as well as the work of Lucien Freud, Chaim Soutine, and Alice Neel among his influences.
"Most of my work in recent years has been in the genre of portraiture, both individual and group portraiture. These included class portraits, family portraits, military regiments, etc... I was interested in relative similarities and differences between individual identity and group or collective identity."
Portraitist Colin Chillag renders the minute details of his subjects’ faces, leaving portions of his preparatory sketches uncovered and placing errant brushstrokes in areas, in order to reveal the artist’s hand. Chillag’s work is characterized by the various layers of his artworks—the drawing beneath, unmodified colors, even the mixing and testing of pigments are visible in the final image. “I have no real desire to complete the illusion by finishing a painting,” Chillag explains. The subjects of his works are primarily based on personal, everyday snapshots the artist takes. He cites documentary films, as well as the work of Lucien Freud, Chaim Soutine, and Alice Neel among his influences.
