Sculptural Painting on Reclaimed Cork Oak Wood

This artwork, part of Natasha Lelenco's "nombre no válido" series, is a painted tondo created on a piece of recovered cork wood from tree cuttings in Galicia. The work blends natural and artificial elements, using the irregular shape of the alcornoque wood to frame an abstract representation of a crying emoticon face. The artist has carefully painted the central portion with vibrant green and blue hues, imitating natural forms like lily pads, yet forming an anthropomorphic face that evokes a digital emoticon. The surface's textured volume, paired with bold colors, gives the piece a dimensional and sculptural presence on the wall. The edges of the tondo, painted in contrasting yellow and blue, enhance its natural irregularities and bring attention to the organic nature of the medium, while the central emoticon offers a stark contrast, representing the artificiality of digital communication. The visible grain and texture of the cork wood juxtaposed with the glossy paint finish highlight the tension between the natural and the digital. The "crying face" emoticon, a universal symbol of sadness or empathy, adds another layer of meaning, reflecting how contemporary communication is shaped by simple, abstract symbols that resonate with human emotion. This limited-edition piece from the "nombre no válido" series is a reflection on the evolution of language, where communication through signs like emoticons has become natural. The work bridges the divide between digital abstraction and physical, natural forms, with a playful yet thought-provoking nod to modern expression. Keywords: Cork Wood, Emoticon Art, Crying Face, Contemporary Art, Anthropomorphic, Green and Blue Painting, Nature and Technology, Natasha Lelenco, Limited Edition, Sculptural Painting, Abstract Art, Wooden Tondo.