untitled (not b&w) | 2020

acrylic on canvas, 50 x 45

Here I am reflecting on how love and relationships are often romanticised in art, literature, film and media.

This is my first art piece with these ‘curvy abrupt lines’, which I associate with the complexities and ambiguity of our reality and feelings. Combined with my love towards the written word and literature, ‘untitled (not b&w)’ is featuring one of Joseph Brodsky poems, which is related to a vast series of love poems dedicated to Marina Basmanova. It was written around 20 years after Joseph and Marina’s parting and in a certain way demonstrates how his love is fading away. Likewise to Brodsky, who is letting go of his feelings, I am letting go of my attachment to the outcome to let the love unfold and follow its natural dynamics.

Black and white are opposites to one another on the colour continuum, while between those you may find a myriad of shades and tones, which is also relatable to the complex feeling of love.

Romantic relationships often tend to be pictured in art and media as either something too idealistic and expressive or something too dramatic and painful. In reality, love presents itself in various ways and it does not always have to be either. Love can be expressed and understood differently, so what matters the most is that partners are able to find common ground and establish mutual contentment within the relationships. And it would be different for everyone.

Love is not static and can manifest itself in different ways – nothing in our world is black and white and two contradicting truths can co-exist.