“The Masquerade"

Acrylic and metal leaf on canvas, mounted in custom wood / silver leaf frame

Framed: 160 x 200 cm

2021-2023

“Give a man a mask and he’ll tell you the truth” - Oscar Wilde

“The Masquerade” is a portal to a universe of contrasts, where marble meets rose petals, and couture dances with chaos. From funerals to parties, this painting is a narrative of perpetual dichotomies. A timeless waltz between truth and fiction, where characters from personal narratives intertwine within a realm of duality.

On the left, paparazzi swarm a public event, capturing a funeral that unveils the world’s ignorantly belated reaction, where all masks slip away and true colors surface. On the right, a party unfolds, where curiosity and discomfort cloak attendees, seemingly oblivious to the suffering beyond. Each character symbolizes hidden truths through allegorical representations. This painting is a reflection of the unsettling contemporary world events that unfold around us today. Specifically referring to Palestinian suffering and their resilience through resistance.

The custom wood and silver leaf frame is a testament to my reverence for Art Deco antiquity and its unique geometry. Providing contrast to the whiplashed Art Nouveau staircase to the stars in the backdrop. The marble and rose petals pay homage to the works of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Besides personal symbolism, the atmosphere of the characters were inspired by The 1972 Surrealist Ball, and Kubrick’s cinematic masterpieces such as “Eyes Wide Shut” and “The Shining”. Created over two years, “The Masquerade” is the third installment in my “Figurative Theatre” series, with more stage paintings to come.