Christopher Chetcuti

I’ve created three self-portraits so far, each one a distinct step in my journey of self-exploration through art. The first came about almost by accident; I needed a model for an experimental casting in aluminum, and I used myself as the subject. The resulting cast was a rough, fast sketch of my face: large, hollow eyes, bushy eyebrows, meaty ears, and thin lips. While these features don’t align perfectly with how I see myself, something about this sculpture resonates deeply—it captures a raw, rougher version of me that feels surprisingly real.

Months passed after that first attempt, and I delved deeper into portraiture, learning from the insights of my mentor, Joseph Chetcuti. With my second self-portrait, I approached the work with much more intention and focus. The result was noticeably more refined, technically sophisticated, and closer to reality than the first. I decided to finish this version in white cement and then poured various chemicals over it, including my own urine. The addition of these materials was an attempt to infuse something elemental and personal into the piece.

Yet, despite the technical progress I made, this second portrait feels less soulful, almost more restrained and serious. It captures my likeness more accurately, but somehow feels less like me. Each portrait, though, reveals a different aspect of my own self-understanding, showing how the process of self-portraiture is, at its core, a constant negotiation between appearance, intention, and identity.