When reflecting on these paintings by artist Agnes Toth, viewers are challenged to fill in the missing pieces to each visually compelling narrative. The subjects of each painting form both very literal representations of reality as well as splintered forms that are left open to interpretation. She challenges us to interact with the paintings and to create experiences with the fragmented stories.
Toth says, “We cannot speak about incompleteness. The pictures arouse exactly the opposite effect, it looks as if some parts would have rather disappeared or fallen off. The painting will appear like an excavation. By uncovering certain parts, I will tell more than if I had shown everything.”
The artist uses very thin paints and soft color palettes to maintain a flat surface where the figures and forms are always the main focus of each piece. The detailed, visible pieces, similar to torn bits of paper, combined with the mystery and intrigue of the empty areas, form a tension that evokes an emotional response to each scene. The artist says, “I consider it important to maintain dichotomy. Thus tension and calmness, harmony and dischord are simultaneously present. An interesting balance comes into being, which from the painting pulsates.”
