2024
Diptych
Dopamine Series
131 x 185.5cm
51.5 x 73in
Acrylic, Oil Stick, Charcoal, Pastel on Canvas
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See Saw
“See Saw” wistfully explores the purity of youthful joy while playing on the dual meanings of its title. The piece captures the dopamine rush sparked by the simplest of activities—like the rhythmic play of a see saw, where the mere act of shifting weight becomes a source of boundless delight. At the same time, the work invites the viewer to reflect on how adults now “see” what their younger selves once “saw.” This counter-levered, off-balance diptych gently urges us to reconnect with that unbridled joy, while hinting at the underlying tensions of adulthood.
In the background, shadowy, contorted adult figures gaze longingly at their younger, freer selves, torn between envy and nostalgia. They see the ease with which joy once flowed—untouched by the complexities and pursuits that now weigh them down. The title reinforces this duality: as adults, we “see” the purity of past joy but must confront how far we’ve drifted from it. “See Saw” challenges us to reclaim that innocent thirst for authentic experience, to forsake the hollow pursuit of objective rewards, and instead balance those with simpler, experience-based pleasures—rekindling a more genuine and lasting sense of fulfillment.
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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Originally made for a private studio exhibition in Mallorca, I crafted this exclusive seven-piece series which delves into the psychology and emotional states influenced by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
