figurative motif

Figurative motif

Figurative motif is a painting in which the human silhouette is present. The figure is implicitly a human being. This association probably comes from the intense presence of human beings in the art for a long time, in fact since time immemorial. The man tells a story about himself by expressing it through art. And when a sculptor does this – a figure is created. Sculptures are made of durable materials. This is why stone figures made thousands of years ago have survived to the present day. They testify to the enduring presence of the figure in art. Contemporary artists are keen to use figural motifs. They depict the human being with the great freedom that modern art provides. Figurative motifs in my art are of great importance to me. Human beings are one of the most important subjects for me. Along with nature. So much can be expressed through the human silhouette.

The human silhouette

What makes the human silhouette expressive? Through its shape and position, we express emotional states. A hunched man signals a different emotion than an upright man. And yet another message is given by a person in motion or at rest. The position of the arms, the legs, the body, the tilt of the head – in a word, all parts of the body take part in the story of a person. The face is a special part. Facial expressions are so rich that they can replace body language. This is why the portrait is such an important motif in art.

In Jolanta Johnsson’s figurative paintings, the human figure is often a simplified symbol. Portraits, on the other hand, are depicted in more detail.

Portraits are also figurative motifs, they are like a gateway to a person’s inner self. They offer an opportunity to convey the truth.