Unsuitable
Unsuitable (2009)
23¼×18½ Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
There is a profound sense of liberation when we strip away the armor we wear for the world. A well-tailored suit can project power and prestige, but it also acts as a heavy social mask. With Unsuitable, I wanted to capture the exact moment that corporate facade is completely abandoned. Sitting entirely nude on a chair in the dressing room with his dress shirt, tie, and trench coat left hanging behind him, he glances away as if caught in a private, reflective transition. Holding his classic Fedora as a final, ironic nod to the formal attire he just shed, his powerful, exposed physique contrasts beautifully with the starkly domestic setting. Playing with the cool, muted tones of the background against the warm, detailed musculature of his torso allowed me to focus heavily on the raw human form beneath the clothes.
