Silvia
Silvia
(2019), 59.5 x 84 cm, N° 1/3
Gallery Print on Acrylic glass
About Silvia
Silvia’s once unconfident self is now being ushered into a new style. Silvia’s colors are genderless, as is the character. The bow, one of the few elements throughout the collection that is shaded, seemingly suggests that Silvia is female. However, the figure breaks gender norms through the blue coloring and more broad stature. Silvia is confident with its loudmouthed orange smile. The character's one-of-a- kind heart-shaped eyes surrounded by a calming light blue coloring present an inner peace and happiness within. The soft gray background is set to demonstrate that Silvia's past life, though gray, has now been outweighed by the bright colors that it is composed of.
Silvia
written by the BollagArt team
The artwork of Silvia, created by Swiss artist Olivier Bollag, is a colorful portrait that speaks to topics such as happiness, joy, facial expression, color psychology, and mental health. Bollag's intention is to reduce complex faces to simple lines and forms that explore the essence of the faces and their emotions, evoking happiness and joy, with the goal of bringing a smile to the viewer's face. Silvia's unique appearance and style make her stand out from the crowd, depicting a formerly unconfident individual who is now entering a new phase. The colors used to represent Silvia are genderless, reflecting the character's gender neutrality. The shaded bow suggests that Silvia is female, but the blue coloring and broad stature break gender norms, representing the idea of breaking away from gender norms and embracing one's true identity.
Silvia exudes confidence, as seen through her loudmouthed orange smile, and her character is characterized by confidence and inner peace. The calming light blue color surrounding her heart-shaped eyes conveys inner peace and happiness while suggesting an openness to love and compassion. The soft gray background represents Silvia's past life, but the brighter colors have overcome it. Silvia's portrait invites contemplation about gender norms and expectations and demonstrates the possibility of personal growth and self-confidence. Her transformation from an unconfident self to a new style represents growth and change, offering a message of growth, transformation, and self-acceptance.
Silvia has a vivid inner world, and her hair color indicates that she has a playful personality. She is a quiet character, which makes her an excellent listener. Silvia loves nature and geometrical forms, as the clothing on the lower side of the artwork betrays the character's interest in edgy cuts that compliment her feminine facial features. Silvia's chin is faced outwards, which gives her head a unique facial shape, making her physical appearance unique. Her lovely and warm appearance makes anyone comfortable around her. The V-line drawn in white has a visual correspondence in her eyes, as her blue eyes have two small white hearts that twinkle, giving the character a special glow. The two heart twinkles symbolize the passion with which Silvia lives and emanates in the world.
Silvia's portrait connects with positivity, happiness, and joy through its features and characters. It represents breaking away from societal norms, embracing one's true identity, and personal growth. Silvia's confident demeanor and warm appearance convey inner peace, happiness, and enthusiasm. Her love for nature and geometrical forms speaks to a desire to explore the world, further emphasizing the idea of growth and exploration. The artwork invites contemplation about gender norms and expectations, challenging viewers to consider their own identities and expressions.
In conclusion, Silvia's portrait is an intriguing and unique artwork that speaks to themes of happiness, joy, and mental health. Through her unique appearance, confident demeanor, and warm personality, Silvia represents the possibility of personal growth and self-acceptance, inviting viewers to contemplate their own identities and expressions. Olivier Bollag's art is a reminder of the importance of positivity and happiness in our lives and how art can evoke these emotions in us.