The Wheel of Relationships

“The Wheel of Relationships”
100 x 70 cm, Acrylic on PVC, 2018

In “The Wheel of Relationships,” the artist takes us on an intriguing visual exploration of human relationships and the interplay between different temporalities and cultural representations. This work is a masterful collision of ancient and modern symbols, questioning the complexity of relationships in a constantly changing world.

At the centre of the composition, a contemporary woman, in black underwear, embodies modernity and sensuality. She is depicted with a disturbing realism, her gaze averted as if she were trying to avoid the gaze of the observer or to contemplate something invisible to us. Her inclusion in this eclectic context invites a reflection on the way in which beauty and femininity are perceived and interpreted across different eras and cultures.

In the background, a fragment of a classical work, a richly detailed baroque head with its flamboyant curls and pensive gaze, is juxtaposed with this modern figure. This opposition of styles—contemporary realism versus historical grandeur—creates a visual dialogue about the passage of time, the persistence of certain cultural icons, and the evolution of artistic representation.

The ouroboros, the mythical serpent that bites its own tail, surrounds the entire scene, symbolizing the eternal return and the idea that relationships and life cycles are meant to repeat themselves. The snake appears almost animated, added in black and white like a hand drawing, adding a layer of mystical symbolism and continuity in the cycle of human relationships.

At the center of the canvas, the icon of a blinking hourglass, commonly used to signify the passage of time or waiting in the digital context, reinforces the idea that relationships are constantly evolving and influenced by the incessant flow of time. It also recalls our modern reliance on technology to manage our relationships, suggesting a tension between the ephemeral and the eternal.

The colored squares at the bottom of the composition, perhaps reminiscent of paint palettes or pixels, symbolize the interference of digital media in our understanding of relationships. They remind us that perceptions of art, love, and relationships are today mediated by screens and filters of all kinds.

“The Wheel of Relationships” is a meditation on the nature of relationships throughout the ages. The work fuses elements from different eras and styles to create a complex visual tapestry that invites us to reflect on how the past informs the present, and how symbols, whether ancient or modern, continue to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.