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Malcolm Liepke is a painter of a particular world, a 'demi-monde', inhabited by mostly young and attractive subjects, who project an air of self-absorption and watchfulness.
While his application may seem economical, it is always imbued with subtlety, delicately capturing the nuances and essential qualities of various surfaces, particularly the texture of skin. Through his work, Liepke seems to imbue the paint itself with the very essence of his subjects, creating an illusion where the materiality of the medium mirrors that of the human form.
Color plays a pivotal role in Liepke’s compositions, as he deftly employs a vibrant palette to elicit strong and sensual reactions. Lively hues such as lime, lemon, and brick red are juxtaposed with cool blues, enhancing the ethereal quality of his subjects’ pale flesh. Drawing inspiration from the pastel tones favoured by artists like Degas and Lautrec, Liepke transports viewers to a twilight world illuminated by artificial light, where time seems suspended in a perpetual ‘fin de siècle’ ambiance.
The tightly cropped compositions in Liepke’s work create an intense viewing experience, inviting viewers into close proximity with his subjects. These figures, often young and casually glamorous, exude an air of nonchalance, simultaneously inviting and deflecting scrutiny. Through his art, Liepke captures the playful contradiction inherent in a world where curated self-expression reigns supreme, offering snapshot glimpses into a realm where the right kind of attention is both sought after and carefully cultivated.
Artist: Malcolm Liepke
