Mona_Naomi
Renaissance Naomi C. Gallay
-2021
-Width 36” x “60”
-Acrylic painting on free canvas
-$950
« Renaissance » is a topical interpretation of Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. This painting transcends the boundaries of classical portraiture to convey a message about racial inequality seeking unity in diversity through our common humanity. Set in the contemporary context while floating in a timeless atmosphere, the portrait of La Joconde lets go of its individuality to let the human essence defines the portrait.
« Renaissance » refers to the period of establishment of Da Vinci’s masterpiece and to « the Black Renaissance », an essay written by Ibram X. Kendy published in Time magazine February 2020. «The racial groups are equals, and what makes the racial groups equals is our common humanity; and our common humanity is imperfect and complex.» Ibram X. Kendy.
Naomi C. Gallay
Naomi C. Gallay (1993) is a Swiss artist and designer. As a family member of five generations in the graphic arts, she received her BA from the graphic design department at ECAL (University of Art and Design of Lausanne) in 2016. In the year she worked as a designer in Southern California, she furthered her graphic eye while developing her artistic approach. Back in Europe, she was awarded the Jean Knechtli Fellowship, which honors an artist under 30 years old, and received attention from the renowned Parisian Etapes magazine. In the 5 years since graduating, she was invited to an art residency in Geneva, took part in several art shows, opened her studio, art directed creative projects and collaborations. Her artistic practice ranges from painting, oil pastels to digital tools. Her art is focused on the human form, transcending the boundaries of classical portraiture and gestural abstraction.