Original artwork description:

Inga Makarova’s Ex Boyfriends 4 is a sculptural painting that blurs the line between canvas and object, inviting viewers to reconsider the emotional residue carried by the materials we wear closest to our skin. Here, denim becomes both a medium and a message. The artist has mounted an actual pair of jeans onto the canvas, sealing them under a unified coat of enamel. The result is a powerfully evocative piece, rich in metaphor and minimalist in palette, yet complex in both texture and meaning.

This artwork is a part of her larger “Ex Boyfriends” series – a conceptual exploration of what is left behind when a romantic relationship ends. The fabric’s folds, stitches, and wear become evidence of intimacy, repetition, and time. A distressed hole near the pocket feels almost like a wound, raw yet sealed. The decision to harden soft material underlines the paradox of vulnerability and emotional armor. Makarova’s work is especially appealing for collectors interested in feminist perspectives, tactile art practices, and sculptural works that use everyday materials to convey layered psychological and social narratives.

Materials used:

Denim, Enamel

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