Noah
Noah
(2019), 59.5 x 84 cm, N° 1/3
Gallery Print on Acrylic glass
About Noah
Noah is a piece that offers several different unique interpretations. Upon first glance, Noah’s gender-neutral name prevents them from being assigned a gender. Typically, Noah is viewed in two different forms; either a middle-aged woman or a child. In this particular work, we notice the soft curves that build Noah's foundation, giving the illusion of both figures. Noah's smile beams as they emanate confidence. They are open and encourage new and unique conversations. They are sure of themselves, whether they are older and have found ground, or young and just overcame a milestone. The blue wave of the nose and forehead represents a characterful background. Noah has seen their share of ups and downs, but ultimately their life has been settled. As the modern glasses interact with the wave, a clash of solidity and uneasiness unify together to create the embodiment of Noah. They have struggled and succeeded.
Noah
written by the BollagArt team
Olivier Bollag's art piece, titled "Noah," is a colorful and expressive portrait that captures the essence of happiness, enthusiasm, and eagerness to explore the world. As a Swiss artist who focuses on colorful faces that bring smiles to the viewer, Bollag's art speaks to topics such as happiness, joy, facial expression, color psychology, and mental health. "Noah" is no exception to this, as it embodies positivity and resilience through its unique features and characters.
At first glance, "Noah" appears as a semi-profile portrait in a spontaneous posture. The lower side of the portrait is drawn in white, resembling a plain foundation to build upon. Bollag combines four colors - red, blue, brown, and green - with the two non-colors - black and white - to execute the portrait in a spontaneous and precise manner, capturing Noah's personality in just a few strokes. The soft curves in Noah's figure contribute to the ambiguity of their gender and age, allowing for diverse interpretations of their identity.
Noah's confident smile and open demeanor encourage new and unique conversations. They exude self-assurance, regardless of their age or life experiences. The blue wave on Noah's nose and forehead suggests a characterful and varied past, while the interaction between the modern glasses and the wave symbolizes the merging of stability in Noah's life. Noah has faced both struggles and successes, but ultimately focuses on the positive and good. They represent the embodiment of overcoming adversity and settling into a contented life, offering a powerful message of resilience and acceptance.
Noah's haircut suggests a young, playful spirit, recalling the iconic painting by Hokusai, titled "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." The red glasses stand in complementary contrast with the background green, conveying Noah's classy sense of fashion. The slightly longer chin shape contributes to making the character visually unique and beautiful. The open mouth conveys a moment in which Noah reacts to hearing a secret, indicating that they are not easily impressed but keen to have a good laugh.
The juicy green shade in the background emphasizes that the character loves nature and enjoys moments alone, taking their “me-time” to recharge and be remembered for the passion that characterizes them. Noah seems to have such a relaxed attitude that one might assume they attract many people. Their joy is contagious, making one take the portrait home. Seeing Noah on a daily basis is a reminder that life is made up of moments and that we are responsible for how we'd like to be remembered by others.
Overall, "Noah" is a beautiful and complex artwork that captures the essence of positivity, happiness, and joy. Through its unique features and characters, it evokes enthusiasm and eagerness to explore the world, reminding us that life is full of ups and downs, but ultimately, it is up to us to focus on the positive and good. Olivier Bollag's art is a celebration of life, and "Noah" is a perfect example of this. It is a must-have for anyone who wants to bring a smile to their face and a reminder of the beauty of life.