The Inside Joke
My latest artwork, "Hollow Back Girl," is equal parts social commentary, Halloween spirit, and inside joke (for those of you that get it). On the surface, it shows a skeleton striking a confident pose in a glittery golden outfit, blending fashion and decay to reflect the duality of surface beauty and inner emptiness. It is part of my ongoing series, "The Inside Joke" (you can view the full gallery at elvissantana.com), which examines narcissism and the masks people wear to hide their true selves. The piece explores how, in our hyper-curated social media world, many construct flawless lives filled with staged smiles, travel, and achievements, while quietly concealing their pain, insecurity, and trauma. They turn relationships into trophies, collecting people — friends, partners, family, even their children — as props for validation and self-promotion.
At its core, "Hollow Back Girl" delves into the emotional vacuum of those who manipulate and discard others once they’ve served their purpose. Childhood wounds of neglect and abandonment freeze them in cycles of self-absorption, unable to empathize or truly connect. They create echo chambers of admiration, surrounding themselves with followers who validate their illusions, recycling new ones as soon as the old begin to see through the mask. The skeleton becomes a symbol of what remains — a hollow shell draped in gold, beautiful on the outside but devoid of life within.
Prints and merchandise are available at our #RedBubble and various other stores (links in bio).
Did you enjoy these artworks? See the full album and more at our different sites and shops. Just click the link in our bio for more. Make sure to follow us for all our latest posts. Don't forget to share our page! ❤️
Private Collection