“Girl by the mirror” by Tetiana Nyshchun delves into the experience of exile and the challenges of self-recognition in the absence of reference points. Consisting of two panels, the artwork portrays a female figure viewed from behind as she gazes into a mirror. However, the reflection does not show her face but instead reveals an internal landscape filled with memory, trauma and loss. This piece serves as a quiet testament to the condition of being “in-between”: caught between body and absence, past and present, what has occurred and what is yet to emerge.
The diptych is created using mixed-media technique and is designed as complementary components. While they are visually and conceptually linked, they adhere to different technical processes. The first panel showcases a bas-relief carved from wood, accompanied by a pencil drawing, the application of modeling stucco, and the final painting uses gray acrylic colors that highlight depth and texture. The second panel, however, is crafted on wood with a polystyrene frame and an epoxy resin base, which produces a mirrored effect, and is enhanced by chromatic movements achieved through alcohol-based paints.
Despite the various techniques employed, the panels in “Girl by the mirror” unite in a cohesive composition where relief and reflection, solidity and transparency, physical presence and visual perception interact with one another, creating a deep and intricate visual narrative.
