Artist research Jacqueline Dobrugi

 

SIRENE (2005) Jacqueline Dobrugi

Jacqueline Dobrugi’s painting SIRENE (2005) really draws me in because of the movement and emotion within the surface. The deep blues and purples instantly make me think of water, but not calm water. It feels powerful, layered and slightly chaotic. I like how the siren is not clearly defined. Instead of painting a literal figure, Dobrugi suggests her presence through sweeping marks, thick paint and bursts of red and orange that maybe suggestthe tail. 

The texture feels physical and expressive, almost like the sea is alive. This connects to my own practice, when I respond to music and allow colour and movement to guide the painting rather than focusing on detail. In my next abstract piece, I want to experiment with creating stronger textural marks like this, using thicker paint and more confident gestures so the surface feels alive and full of energy. I have gathered better tools for mark making, including plastic netting, palette knives and other found objects, which I think will help me build up interesting layers and texture. Her work reminds me that emotion and atmosphere can be stronger than realism. However, unlike my abstract work which is created purely in response to music, I am drawn to the idea that Dobrugi’s painting is based on a siren. I like that there is a concept behind the abstraction. I may explore this further, as although my paintings respond to music, the foundation of them is rooted in my children when they were babies. This makes me think about how I can balance emotion, sound and the deeper personal narrative, my children within one piece.