In American Taste, Mayrig Simonjan elevates an everyday icon into a work of art. A towering cheeseburger sits proudly at the centre of the canvas, its sesame bun glowing under the artist’s masterful use of oil on board. Layers of crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and cool cucumber are offset by a generous slice of melting cheddar, its golden sheen dripping luxuriously over the patty below. The painting transforms a familiar comfort food into a symbol of cultural appetite and shared indulgence.
Executed in a realism still life style, Simonjan employs meticulous detail and atmospheric depth. The dark background recalls the tradition of Old Master still lifes, yet the contemporary subject matter gives it a playful twist. The burger is presented almost like a royal portrait, imbued with grandeur and dignity through its monumental scale and carefully staged presentation.
The colour palette enhances this duality—rich browns and ambers in the bun and meat create warmth, while the cool greens of the vegetables and the bright red of the tomato provide striking contrast. The luminous yellows of the cheese serve as the focal point, catching the eye and drawing the composition together. With American Taste, Simonjan invites viewers to consider the beauty of the everyday and the artistry hidden within the ordinary.
| Dimensions | 50 × 50 cm |
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