Rhealin Wlos

American Academy of Art

Artwork title: Sparky
oil on masonite | 36 x 24 inches

Tell us about the work that you have submitted.
This piece is about work versus passion. Working allows people to exist and survive. There’s a pride in it, but there’s also the need for expression. In this painting, I juxtaposed a construction worker with a memory of what comes after work – a celebration of freedom and having a steady job.

How do you describe your work and practice?
I describe my work as very detail-oriented. I try to incorporate a story behind every piece to engage the viewer, showing the work as not only a painting but as an experience or emotion to which viewers can relate.

What motivated you to apply to the AXA Art Prize?
What motivated me to apply to the AXA Art Prize was the encouragement of one of my professors at the American Academy of Art. Only figurative work was being accepted in the AXA Art Prize. That interested me because one of my favorite subjects to paint is the figure.

What about figurative work do you find particularly inspiring?
What I find particularly inspiring about figurative work is that you can create a strong sense of drama. The figure is very expressive, with an intense amount of emotion behind the features. Varied layers of reality can be created within the work and can be compared to any given situation.

www.rhealin.com
Instagram | @rhealin_wlos