Who would not wish to hang up Boris?

This is the first time I have made a compilation of my experimental work using my painted or drawn self-portraits incorporated in new compositions mixed with the work of great masters for example such as Van Gogh’s spring flowers . The result is for you to enjoy.  The new composition intermingles  creating a  decorative tête-à-tête. Experimenting with these compositions have produced a very interesting and fresh new set self-portraits, most of which are completely unique without digital back-ups.  Each print is further layered by hand with  pastel or color pencil drawings .


I am offering this unique series selfies at rediculous prices giving you the opportunity to Hang Up Boris.
All those Interested in this offer should contact me with email form.

In the garden of Vincent, image size 22x22cm, framed 25x25cm, mixed media, Boris Novak
In the garden of Vincent 02, image size 33x33cm, framed 52x52cm, mixed media, Boris Novak
In the garden of Vincent 03, image size 22x22cm, framed 25x25cm, mixed media, Boris Novak

 

Boris Novak Tribute to Pablo Picasso Guernica

Boris Novak Tribute to Pablo Picasso Guernica nire etxea 06
B 3

 

Boris Novak Two Worlds Apart
Boris Novak Tribute to William Blake
Boris Novak Painting
 

Self-portraits have been around since 14th century when mirrors were more readily available. 

There are many reasons for creating self-portraits.

Constant availability of the model, challenges of human anatomy, intimately knowing the person behind the face are some of the main reasons for this genre of painting. This is the ultimate self expression of the artist.


Beautiful examples are the self-portraits of Leonardo da Vinci.

It is often explained that artists like Albrecht Dürer, was consciously aware that the public would see the intended similarities of Durer with that of Jesus as his self-portraits were specifically used for advertising and promotions of his own work. 

Making a portrait study of one’s self gave more freedom to the artist as the issues of likeness and vain poses depicting their status in society required from clients often restricted the creative expression, The Artists own self portrait was free to express and experiment, and free to manipulate one’s own self image. A good example in this painterly freedom is the self-portraits of Francis Bacon.

Other artists included their own portraits  together with portraits of prominent and historical people, such as in Raphael's School of Athens.  The many portraits of Vincent van Gogh and those of Frida Kahlo speak to their inner turmoil and pain signified by the technique of the brushstrokes, use of color, and by adding significant and symbolic objects that help to tell their inner story. 

As the mirror became more readily available, the amount of self-portraits painted had increased To this day technological advancements continue to push this genre forward to the instant self portraits “”selfies” inundating sites like Facebook and Flickr.

Though not all selfies belong to the category of artistic expression, many amateurs have found a way to present themselves in the best possible way, satisfying their own vanity, and creatively using these images to draw public admiration, not unlike Durer had done at the turn of the 16th century. 

I have enjoyed many of the freedoms and technological advances developed throughout history of artistic portraiture in my own work, constantly experimenting with new possibilities.

Mixing the classic and the new, I am actively looking for juxtapositions and compositions that animate and create a dialogue tête-à-tête with works of the great masters and the straightforward ‘selfie’