Man Mask, 2004

Layered with texture, symbolism, and surreal tension, Man Mask by Cuban artist Julio García Forte challenges perception and identity through a highly detailed and expressive composition. Created in 2004 using mixed media on cardboard, the piece presents a hybrid face—part feline, part human—constructed from intricate linework, jagged forms, and a palette dominated by sepia and deep black. The surface is dense with gestural marks and patterned etching, creating a visual rhythm that feels both organic and calculated. A single eye, sharply outlined, stares from within the chaotic form, pulling viewers into an unsettling yet captivating world. Mounted unframed on a clear acrylic backing, this work maintains a raw physical presence, allowing the textures and tonal shifts to speak without distraction.