Truth by Szymon Serafin (Sculpture)

“Truth”
2023
The bas-relief depicts a portrait of a man where his face is an integral part of the background. The sculpture is in a rectangular format, balancing between painting and sculpture in its appearance. The face of the unknown figure has openings in its eyes and in various parts of the face, such as the forehead. Beneath a thin layer of plaster imposed on the face lies an empty space where a light bulb connected to an electronic circuit is located.
The invoice is dynamic, showing traces of tools and interventions of dynamic sculpting still in liquid plaster. The figure’s face seems to emerge from the background, with incisions and layers suggesting its determination to almost break free from the surface. The sculpture enhances its three-dimensionality with coloration; the closer to the viewer, the more these colors shift from blacks and browns to blues, shining like steel.
The work aims to draw attention to the common issue of mental illnesses such as depression – which is the main theme here. Seemingly, the face that evokes horror or a certain unease actually conveys a completely different message, expressed in a language other than words – light.
The lamp inside, when turned on, transmits a Morse code message through light signals, the contents of which I won’t reveal. Besides that, the work itself holds many other hidden messages, left for viewers to discover.
I interpret truth as a state consistent with reality – however, in the context of interpersonal relationships, we should strive to catch the slightest signals from individuals whom we might suspect to be suffering from such a tragic illness as depression.

This work is dedicated to my former colleague.