A troubled mind

The painting *Shocked Mind* depicts a figure with their hands pressed against their cheeks, their mouth wide open and their eyes empty and white. The face glows a pale golden-yellow against a landscape of swirling blue and red bands, in which a fiery evening sky merges into dark water. Long, dark hair falls down the face and blends into the black clothing beneath.

The painting technique lends the image a sense of restlessness. Thick, visible brushstrokes run in waves across the sky and the water, never settling anywhere. These same brushstrokes also build up the face, making the skin appear rough and taut. On the left, a balustrade slopes diagonally into the picture, drawing the eye towards the horizon, whilst on the right the sea swirls away in dark blue eddies. The contrast between that illuminated, frozen face and the swirling surroundings makes the panic palpable. Red, deep blue and that striking golden yellow combine to form a palette that is anything but subtle – nor does it intend to be. The work demands a wall where it can be given plenty of space, for example in a studio, a hallway or a living room with little else on the wall.

Art lovers will recognise two famous paintings that have been fused here into a single image. Even those who do not spot the reference are still left with a face that is clearly startled by something.