Woman with Black Hat Surrounded by Hands - Visual Metaphor of Stress and Overwhelm by Elianne van Turennout

About "Woman with Black Hat Surrounded by Hands - Visual Metaphor of Stress and Overwhelm"

by Elianne van Turennout

About the artwork

A woman in a black hat and blue dress takes centre stage in this poignant artwork, her eyes closed in an expression of inner struggle. She is in front of a wall covered in subtle floral wallpaper, a serene background that contrasts with the hectic pace around her. Numerous hands appear around her head and neck, symbolising the many tasks and responsibilities that almost literally grab her by the throat.

The woman exudes a sense of paralysis and overstimulation; her closed eyes indicate an attempt to shut herself off from the chaos, while the tension in her face betrays that she cannot easily win this battle. The black hat she wears reinforces the image of a person trying to live a normal life amid an invisible storm of obligations and expectations.

The numerous hands reaching for her throat are a powerful visual metaphor for the intense pressure and stress that people with ADHD experience when performing daily tasks. This feeling of "task paralysis" occurs when the abundance of stimuli and responsibilities becomes so overwhelming that it seems almost impossible to start anywhere. The woman in this picture symbolises the many people who struggle daily with this invisible enemy, caught in a vicious cycle of intention and paralysis.

Besides capturing the struggle against task paralysis, the photo also shows the loneliness and isolation that comes with it. The contrast between the serene floral wallpaper and the woman's inner chaos gives a powerful visual message about the challenges of living with ADHD.