Description
Themed Pet Portraits by Surita Goosen tell a story without words, unfolding through layers of texture and tone that whisper of lives and landscapes unseen; or perhaps, of the delightful alter egos we imagine for our silent friends. As a curator, I find Surita’s work to be a refreshing departure from traditional realism, moving instead into a realm of narrative portraiture that captures the idiosyncratic spirit of each subject. These documents can only be used in code execution, yet even through a digital lens, one can perceive the incredible depth achieved through her chosen medium. By utilizing Faber Castell Polychromos pencils, Surita is able to achieve a painterly richness that belies the precision of the pencil point, creating a surface that is as much about the tactile sensation of fur and fabric as it is about the visual likeness.
The emotional resonance of these works is found in their joyful absurdity and the tender nostalgia they provoke. There is a profound sense of play here, yet it is grounded in a deep respect for the animal’s dignity. When we see a cat adorned in a military helmet or a dog in a dapper yellow beanie, the artwork evokes a sense of shared joy and a lighthearted unease that challenges our perceptions of domesticity. Surita unpacks the personality of the pet by placing them in these unexpected contexts, varying her visual language so that each piece feels like a unique chapter in a larger, timeless story. The use of vibrant, saturated hues, such as the brilliant blues of a husky’s eyes or the sunny warmth of a raincoat, creates a psychological effect of immediate cheer, drawing the viewer into a world where the common threads of life are woven with threads of pure imagination.
Technically, Surita’s method is one of extreme patience and rhythmic layering. She treats the 100% cotton paper as a stage, using the white of the page to enhance the luminosity of the Polychromos pigments. Her brushwork, translated here through the pressure and direction of the pencil, is masterful; notice how the fine, individual hairs of a muzzle are defined against the broader, softer textures of a knitted hat or a silk tie. The compositional methods often involve a central, focused subject that confronts the viewer directly, creating an intimate dialogue between the pet and the audience. This direct gaze, combined with the whimsical costuming, directs the eye to the expressive potential of the animal’s face, deepening the meaning of the work beyond mere caricature.
These portraits are enduring journeys into the heart of our relationships with our pets, capturing fragments of personality that speak to the echoes of humanity we find in our animal companions. By choosing a themed approach, Surita allows the owner to celebrate the specific character of their pet, whether they are a stoic soldier, a steampunk explorer, or a fashionable socialite. This cross generational truth, that we see ourselves reflected in the eyes of our pets, is what makes these works so compelling. As you look upon these vibrant, character filled faces, one must wonder; if your companion could choose their own costume, what secret identity would they reveal to the world?
Artist: Surita Goosen
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