The piece goes into the side of us we despise. It is a mixed media composition combining acrylic paint with layered newspaper clippings to represent the overwhelming pressures and headlines that fill our lives. In this state, we feel like we are in an empty space with no one to relate to or help for guidance like sitting in a black void. The collage forms a chaotic upper world, contrasting sharply with the darker emotional space below. In the bottom half the figure is shown with her hands covering her face, being consumed by internal noise. Surrounding her are red roses, golden leaves and winding vines- symbols of resilience, unity and spiritual growth. At the bottom, a small gold cross anchors the piece, representing the quiet hope that remains beneath chaos. During the summer, I was plagued with these headlines and didn’t know what to do. I wanted to show that redemption doesn’t always appear loudly, sometimes it grows quietly in places we don’t expect.
