Painting EPHEMERAL
With EPHEMERAL, I wanted to explore themes of life, death, and fragility; how these ideas exist simultaneously rather than separately. The painting became a way of visualising that tension, combining structure, organic growth, and movement within a single composition.
At the centre of the piece is a ribcage, acting as both a physical and symbolic anchor. It represents the body in its most essential state; something protective, but also inherently fragile and temporary. Surrounding it, organic elements begin to emerge and dissolve, reinforcing the idea that life is constantly shifting rather than fixed.
EPHEMERAL | 2026 | Acrylic on canvas | 20 × 20cm
Symbolism of Life, Death, and the Unknown
Orchids often symbolise beauty and delicacy, but the darker tones used here shift that meaning. The black orchids, in particular, reference rarity and the unknown. This idea aligns closely with the concept of what happens after death. Rather than presenting a clear narrative, the painting leans into uncertainty. The forms feel suspended between states, never fully resolving into something stable or permanent.
The ribcage and the florals exist in contrast, but also in connection — one representing the physical body, the other suggesting something more transient and organic. Together, they create a dialogue between presence and absence, life and what follows it.
Energy Within the Composition
A key focus throughout the painting was creating a sense of energy and movement. I wanted the composition to feel active and alive, even while exploring themes of fragility.
Bright yellows move across the canvas, cutting through deeper pinks, purples, and reds. This contrast was intentional — the yellows act almost as a force within the painting, breaking up heavier areas and guiding the eye across the surface.
The flowing, ribbon-like forms and circular motifs add to this sense of motion. They suggest cycles, breath, or energy passing through the composition, reinforcing the idea that nothing within the piece is still.
A More Demanding Process
Although the initial composition came together quickly, the painting itself required a much more focused and deliberate approach. It didn’t resolve immediately, and instead became a process of continuous adjustment and refinement.
There was a constant tension between instinct and control; knowing when to step back, when to rework, and when to allow the painting to evolve on its own terms. That process is visible in the layering, colour shifts, and overall movement within the piece.
Rather than smoothing everything into a polished finish, I allowed those shifts to remain. They reflect the process behind the work and reinforce the central idea of impermanence.
Letting the Painting Remain Unresolved
At its core, EPHEMERAL is about transience. It captures something that feels alive, but never fixed — a moment that exists fully, even as it begins to change.
The combination of structure, organic form, and colour creates a space where life, fragility, and the unknown coexist. Nothing is held in place for long, and that sense of instability becomes part of the painting’s meaning.
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