Recognition
Inspiration is the impetus for any work of art. What compels an artist to create is one of the great mysteries of human existence.
It is no secret that contemporary painter Henry Asencio is captivated by the transcendental beauty of women. The powerful force of female beauty has been depicted in art throughout the ages. For Asencio, it is his quest to portray something so profound that he feels compelled to paint it over and over again.
Beyond the physical, Asencio yearns to capture the essence of his female subjects. The artist states, “The combination of resilience and sensuality in a woman has been my muse for as long as I can remember. Women hold themselves with such graceful splendor. They possess this uncommon strength to ascend above the chaos. In times of weakness, when men turn to violence, they hover above us and soften our lives with their embrace.”
Asencio’s “Recognition” is a sensual yet powerful composition wrought with references to ascension and its ensuing redemption. Sitting peacefully, her head is tilted back as if commanding the heavens. With one hand at her heart and the other outstretched and open as if to gesture “come with me”, she recognizes the power of her spirit and its ability to transform. Asencio’s flawless figures are often placed amidst a flurry of painted abstraction, thereby illustrating her power to “ascend from the chaos”.
Asencio concludes: “It is with much gratitude that I come to realize the uncommon strength in women and how they continually inspire me and the world by simply recognizing the beauty within themselves.”
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