"The Illusion of Freedom," 8"x8" Original Mixed Media on Wood Panel

In "The Illusion of Freedom," the viewer is confronted with the stark juxtaposition of symbolism and reality, exploring the complexities of our shared pandemic experience.  At the center of the piece, a hauntingly familiar figure emerges, their head and shoulders rendered in chaotic collage, with their face obscured by the mask.   This mask, a depressing, ubiquitous emblem of our times, serves as both a shield and a shroud, separating the individual from the collective, the known from the unknown. Emblazoned across the mask, the words "Freedom For Me" are starkly juxtaposed, their inverted orientation challenging the viewer's perception.  What initially appears as a declaration of personal autonomy is quickly subverted upon closer examination, as the very notion of freedom becomes entangled in layers of irony and contradiction. The use of mixed media adds depth and texture to the piece, with fragments of paper clippings, ink and oil pastels creating a collage of emotions and experience