Hyperrealistic "Double Exposure" Paintings Reflect How Social Media Makes Privacy Impossible

Armenian-born and New York-based painter Tigran Tsitoghdzyan creates stunning, large-scale portraits that are a haunting combination of the hyperrealism and surreality. His series, Mirrors, showcases a collection of faces covered by superimposed transparent layers of hands that modify and distract. The pieces serve as commentary on the concept of individuality in an era of selfies, indicating how our visions of ourselves are modified through the many lens of social media.

Tsitoghdzyan is considered something of a prodigy in the art world. Having picked up his first paint brush at the age of 4, before going on to exhibit his work at just 10 years old, the young artist has continued to mature his talent today. Mirrors, while being aesthetically pleasing and technically brilliant, also delves into a deeper exploration of a controversial topic, and therefore elevates itself as a collection. The artist considers how the internet has changed our desire to be seen and the control we have over our own image. The transparent hands attempting to hide the models’ faces reflects upon our own inability to hide our identity today. At the same time, the hands could be read as a mask shrouding the “true” identity of the models, just as our own online persona’s are rarely accurate portrayals of who we truly are.

Tsitoghdzyan’s talent for composition and balance within his artwork is complimented by a desire to push the boundaries of what art is capable of communicating. With his new investigation into the influences of social media on society, he forces viewers to stop and “experience the combination of old world techniques with new world ideas.” In doing so, he creates a portfolio that is as multifaceted as it is beautiful.