Mixed media mask on wood panel, 2015, 49 x 65 CM

Silent Verticality and the Human Trace
In this work by Mart Visser, a stylised human form emerges that deliberately resists direct recognition. The face appears as a mask, constructed from carefully layered wooden elements. Slender, vertical and frontally positioned, the figure occupies space with quiet authority. It feels unmistakably human, yet remains anonymous and universal. The mask both conceals and reveals: it protects, while simultaneously inviting projection. The surface bears the marks of manual labour and time, giving the work an almost ritualistic, archaeological presence. Texture plays a central role; the skin of the object is rough and tactile, encouraging close inspection. This is contemporary figurative art in which stillness, physicality and symbolism converge.


A Rare Relief: Sculptural Depth on a Pictorial Plane
This artwork is one of the few reliefs created by Mart Visser, giving it a distinctive position within his oeuvre. It operates precisely in the tension between three dimensional form and a two-dimensional surface a sculptural presence that projects from the plane while remaining inseparably connected to it. The earthy palette of deep browns, copper tones and muted greys enhances the material quality of the wood and reinforces the sense of layered depth. Light moves subtly across the surface, activating the relief and allowing the work to shift with changing conditions. The calm, light-coloured background creates visual space and restraint, while the dark-stained wooden frame anchors the piece and emphasises its object like character. Characteristic of Mart Visser’s art is the balance between presence and absence: a tangible, grounded form that remains emotionally open and interpretative. This work invites contemplation and silence, and is equally suited to a museum setting or a carefully curated private collection.