Respite 56

Painted on his birthday, Mars considers Respite 56 to be an autobiographical portrait of his 56th year. Every birthday, the artist paints a scene that simultaneously represents the past year and looks ahead to the future. Respite 56 represents the current chapter in Mars’ artistic career. Moving away from near monochromatic paintings that depict solemn, grotesque scenes, the artist has entered a period full of color. Using putrefied greens, poppy reds, jaundiced yellows, and dark, moody slates and blues, he created a scene that at once repulses and attracts. The painting is filled with depictions of unconventionally beautiful figures. Chaotic and swirling, the scene depicted is not one of malice. It is balanced between pain and childlike joy, repulsion and wonder.