2024
Dopamine Series
131 x 88cm
51.5 x 35in
Acrylic, Oil Stick, Charcoal, Pastel on Canvas
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Backbone
“Backbone” captures the deep, unspoken bond where two figures seem to merge into one, illustrating a partnership where each is essential to the other’s existence. The vibrant hues of the central form pulse with life and ambition, driven by the allure of dopamine, while the more subdued hues that frame and fuse into this central figure represent a partner who is both separate and intertwined—always there, always present, providing quiet strength. Their shapes blend together, suggesting a unity where the boundaries blur; you can’t have one without the other.
This fusion reflects a possible truth: in a relationship, one’s shine and drive are inseparable from the grounding support that comes from the background. The painting doesn’t just depict one leading and one supporting, but rather a single, interconnected entity where each role feeds into the other, creating a harmonious whole. The composition, with its overlapping forms and shared colors, speaks to how the dopamine-fueled quests for purpose and growth rely on a foundation of often unseen yet vital support—an uncelebrated backbone that doesn’t seek praise but makes everything possible.
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Dopamine
Exhibition Concept
Originally made for a private studio exhibition in Mallorca, I crafted this exclusive seven-piece series which delves into the psychology and emotional states influenced by dopamine. This collection invites viewers to embark on a journey guided by imagination—from the forgotten simplicities of childhood’s purest pleasures to the complex web of self-manipulation that defines adulthood’s pursuit of dopamine. Through contorted forms, fragmented compositions and carefully selected palettes, each piece captures a distinct aspect of our relationship with this powerful neurotransmitter, offering a reflective exploration of how our brains are wired to seek and respond to pleasure.
Drawing from my signature mixed style, this series marries abstract figuration with emotive expression, aiming to provoke unique perspectives, thought and conversation. Each artwork stands as an individual narrative while contributing to a larger dialogue about the subconscious, desire, fulfillment, and the inherent contradictions in our pursuit of happiness. Through this work, I hope to inspire deeper contemplation on how the quest for dopamine shapes our experiences, behaviors, and identities.
-Grason Ratowsky
