Chuck Close

Chuck Close deals with a condition whereby he has difficulty with facial recognition. I particularly liked Self Portrait II (2016), as with other paintings by this artist, it necessitates a gaining of distance from the canvas in order to recognise the face depicted therein. Perhaps this is an attempt by the artist to express his own limitations in dealing with people face to face? This is something with which I can identify, having issues myself with how I am/imagine myself to be perceived by others. I would expect that Chuck Close would have significant difficulty in forging new relationships due to this condition.

I also appreciate his use of colour in this almost pixelated image. I recognise a few of my own favourite colour combinations here, green/orange with purple. It’s a clever use of colour and composition, as well as an ingenious way of getting around, or even making positive use of, the hurdles of his own limitations.