We Keep Our Own Understanding of the Balance a Secret.. (2023) Drawing by Anton Terziev

This visually striking and conceptually provocative drawing combines eroticism with elements of surrealism, using a close-up view of a human form to explore themes of body, perception, and perhaps even control or surveillance. The focal point of the composition is a rendered with vivid, textured lines that create a sense of both tactile intimacy and exaggerated sensuality. The colors used in the piece are rich, almost iridescent, with hues of red, purple, yellow, and green, offering a dynamic visual experience that suggests both movement and depth.
At the center of this anatomical focus is a rather unexpected and disruptive object: a spirit level (a bubble level) inserted into the middle of the body. This surreal insertion adds a layer of irony and detachment to the work. The spirit level, an object typically used for measuring balance and alignment, introduces a tension between the intimate, organic forms of the body and the cold, precise, mechanical nature of the tool. This choice of object can be interpreted in multiple ways—perhaps it points to the desire for control or "correctness" in a sexual or physical context, or it may serve as a commentary on the ways in which the body is scrutinized or objectified by society.
The overall visual experience feels almost voyeuristic, as if the viewer is looking in on a highly personal, private moment. The artist’s use of sharp, contrasting strokes around the figure enhances this sense of intimacy, while the mechanical intrusion of the spirit level forces the viewer to reconsider the boundary between the natural and the artificial, the sensual and the analytical. The body is both present and distorted—erotic and vulnerable—inviting a deep reflection on how we perceive our own physicality and the external forces that shape our understanding of it.
On a formal level, the piece is a masterful study in texture and color. The use of crosshatching and layered strokes brings a sense of immediacy and intensity to the work. The vivid rendering of the flesh is contrasted with the clean, almost jarring, geometric form of the spirit level, which serves as an anchor, disrupting the flow and sensuality of the body. This juxtaposition amplifies the erotic subject matter by introducing an element of dissonance, forcing the viewer to confront the complexity and multiplicity of human experience—where desire, control, and vulnerability intersect.
In sum, this piece is an exploration of eroticism through an almost absurdist lens, where the beauty of the human form is simultaneously celebrated and interrupted. The artist engages with the tension between natural eroticism and mechanical intervention, inviting the viewer to examine how our intimate experiences are framed, judged, and influenced by both internal desires and external constructs.
Part of No Time For Losers series of drawings, paintings and objects (2019-)

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