06/05/2026
"Triptych of self" 2026
Acrylic on canvas
200cm x 135cm
This painting presents a deeply symbolic exploration of the human psyche, dividing myself into three distinct yet interconnected states of consciousness. The central figure, calm and balanced, acts as the mediator between extremes. An owl rests on my shoulder – a timeless emblem of wisdom and insight – while a small songbird perches delicately on my finger, representing gentleness, intuition, and the fragile beauty of awareness.
On the left, I express despair, confusion, and mental struggle. With hand on forehead, eyes closed, and posture tense, I embody psychological burden and existential pain. The crow on my head suggests darkness, death and transformation, while the mask in my hand hints at identity, illusion and the shedding of false selves.
The right self, bursting with color, radiates joy and expressive energy. They are laughing, open, and vibrant – the embodiment of emotional liberation and creative vitality. Yet the skull before them grounds this exuberance with a reminder of mortality; it’s a memento mori, reinforcing life’s impermanence and the wisdom found in acknowledging it.
The swirling, colorful background resembles a psychedelic flow of consciousness – dynamic, fluid, and constantly evolving. The black-and-white chessboard foreground introduces a contrast of order and chaos, intellect and instinct, strategy and surrender.
Altogether, the triptych is an introspective self-portrait not only of myself, but of human duality and wholeness. It unites suffering, awareness, and joy into a single continuum of being—a vivid visual dialogue of the mind’s inner landscape.