"Shadow Identity" Minimalist Modernist Artist Proof Lithograph by Jim Berry

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The artist's proof presents an enigmatic black silhouette, reminiscent of a cut-out Chinese shadow, set against a faded background similar … Read more The artist's proof presents an enigmatic black silhouette, reminiscent of a cut-out Chinese shadow, set against a faded background similar to parchment. Concordances and inspirations connect artists. The piece before us leans towards minimalist and modernist semi-abstract styles, notably echoing Hernando Ruiz Ocampo or the American artist Alexander Calder’s "Les Folles de Saché."

Beyond imitation, it is a true exploration of identity. The figure's exaggerated, dynamic limbs capture a moment of transition—one leg outstretched while the other appears mid-motion. The artist’s choice to omit the head, a traditional focal point of human identity, shifts our focus to the language of the body. By not representing a specific individual, the artist suggests that this figure could be anyone, just as it could be everyone. This approach provokes a paradoxical reaction: we are simultaneously willing to identify something personal while realizing that this figure is, in fact, a symbol of the shared human condition, a universal search for meaning in our lives. The figure’s elongated, distorted limbs—especially the hands with only three fingers—suggest an extension of human experience beyond the physical realm. This may allude to the three worlds: Earth, Heaven, and Intermediate Space, reflecting a rhetorical formula that encapsulates the totality of existence: past, present, and future; birth, life, and death; morning, noon, and evening; creation, maintenance, and dissolution; deep sleep, paradoxical sleep, and wakefulness; father, son, and Holy Spirit.

This cryptic work invites multiple interpretations and is presented in a frame with a delicate intermediate red border that enhances its intensity. Though difficult to decipher, the artist's signature adds an extra layer of mystery. One thing is sure: this is not the work of a novice. See less