Part of the Duncan McAfee’s debut collection with Castle Fine Art titled Exploding Heads. ‘Self Portrait Study II’ is a graphite pencil on paper original artwork portraying a distorted figure within fragmented spaces. McAfee has skilfully layered a bespoke blend of acrylic paint to create this contrasting piece.

Though chaotic compositions with little negative space, McAfee depicts the true anxiety of modern life, delving into themes of isolation and the fragility of existence. Described as ‘Francis Bacon meets Disney’, the collection merges deep themes of human condition and anguish, whilst combining the light heartedness and comedic value of animation. Through bold brushwork, dramatic colour contrast and an affinity for abstraction, the British painter manipulates form to create a sense of distortion and disorientation, inviting viewers and collectors to confront the complexities of human experience.

“The collection is celebratory and gritty, real and honest, and just a little bit outrageous” the artist told us. McAfee’s experimental approach pushes the boundaries of both figuration and abstraction, making a resounding statement in the realm of high-end artistic expression.

Find out more about the artist here.