Bears + Cola is a masterclass in restraint and tonality. Departing from the high-chroma palette of his other works, Ian Bertolucci here shifts into a quieter, more muted aesthetic, presenting nine candies — a mix of clear gummy bears and semi-translucent cola bottles — in a structured, evenly spaced grid. Each form casts a soft, velvety shadow, subtly coloured by the light source, which adds both harmony and dimensional depth to the composition.
Despite the minimalism of the palette, the canvas pulses with vitality. Bertolucci’s attention to surface is exceptional — every highlight, curve, and gradation of amber and cream is rendered with a near-sculptural touch. The simplicity of the arrangement invites closer inspection, revealing the nuanced layering of tones and the balance between form and void. At once nostalgic and refined, Bears + Cola evokes a quiet reverence for the everyday — a meditation on how sweetness, both literal and metaphorical, endures in memory and material.
This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online.
| Dimensions | 30 × 30 cm |
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