Eliza Reszka

My work delves into the complexities of romance in the 21st century, using oil paint as a medium to bridge the gap between modern experiences, social media and the timeless visual languages of the past. Oil paint, with its rich texture and historical resonance, offers me the perfect vehicle to explore the interplay between tradition and contemporary narratives. In my research, I study historical images and art movements, seeking to understand how ideals of love, beauty, and relationships were once portrayed. These references serve as a mirror to the romantic ideals and disillusions of our current age, where love often exists in fragmented digital realities and fleeting encounters. Through my paintings, I investigate these juxtapositions—old-world courtship against new-world swiping, passionate gestures in a time of instant gratification, and the struggle to find depth in an age of immediacy. Ultimately, my paintings are an invitation to reflect on how love is both shaped and distorted by the passage of time, and how we, as modern individuals, can find meaning in those romantic traditions while navigating the complexities of our present reality.