2021 | 36x48 Inches | Mixed media with lokta paper collage on wood and resin finish
This piece is one of the earliest works in BNS’s "Pretty and Gritty" series, setting the foundation for the collection’s exploration of layered identities and urban landscapes. The portrait is constructed from multiple photographic fragments of different individuals, each element silkscreened to come up with a new subject. Separate screens were created for each facial feature, resulting in a layered, collaged effect that challenges singular representation. A signature element of BNS’s work, the bold coral red across the eyes, introduces a dynamic contrast within the composition. The background integrates architectural references from Dumbo, Downtown Manhattan, and Bushwick, Brooklyn, capturing distinct elements of the city's evolving landscape. The piece also incorporates Lokta paper collage, adding texture and depth to the composition. This integration of materials, combined with the layered silkscreen technique, creates a dialogue between portraiture and the structural elements of the city, reinforcing the collection’s themes of identity, transformation, and urban energy.
