Created By
Saleh Lô
Oil and acrylic on canvas
Curator
Artbridger Curator
In La Pause, Saleh Lô masterfully captures the dualities of presence and absence through the sitter's contemplative gaze and the intricate play of light on their textured garments. The artist's meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the rendering of the hands, invites viewers to navigate the complex interplay of individual agency and societal constraints. Through a harmonious blend of hyperrealist technique and emotive expression, Lô prompts us to confront the inherent tensions of identity and resilience within the larger framework of systemic marginalization. La Pause stands as a poignant testament to the enduring power of art to provoke introspection and challenge perceptions, beckoning us to engage with empathy and critical reflection.
La Pause by Saleh Lô is a powerful oil and acrylic on canvas painting within the Talibé series that melds hyperrealist precision with tactile expressivity. The seated figure dominates the composition with a commanding presence, their posture and gaze conveying a complex narrative of endurance and introspection amid conditions of systemic marginalization. The artist’s refined handling of light and texture renders the folds of the vibrant clothing and the nuanced anatomy of the hands with remarkable dimensionality, inviting the viewer into an embodied encounter. The interplay of bold colors—especially the deep blues and contrasting reds and greens—creates a vivid yet measured visual rhythm that situates the sitter within a liminal space where individual identity intersects with collective memory. This work extends Lô’s investigation into collaborative portraiture, imbuing the subject with agency and dignity through a process that foregrounds both materiality and meaning.
Created By
Saleh Lô
140 x 115 cm | 55 x 45 in
2025
