The Inside Joke
My latest artwork, "A Hollow Engagement," is equal parts social commentary, Halloween theme, and inside joke (for those of you that get it). On the surface, it depicts a skeleton woman holding a bouquet of sunflowers, standing in the warm golden light of a sunflower field. The beauty of the setting contrasts sharply with the hollowness beneath the surface, mirroring the themes explored in my larger series, "The Inside Joke" (you can see the full gallery at elvissantana.com). This piece delves into the performative nature of narcissism — how some individuals craft immaculate public images, filled with picture perfect moments of love, weddings, and success, all while orchestrating manipulation and deceit behind closed doors. It is a reminder that not all that shines is gold and that perfection is often the most convincing disguise for emptiness.
"A Hollow Engagement" also touches on the psychology behind these illusions — the unhealed childhood traumas of neglect, abandonment, and emotional starvation that create adults desperate for validation and control. They move through life as emotional chameleons, mirroring and molding themselves to win affection, loyalty, and admiration from those around them. Friends and lovers are collected, used, and eventually discarded once their purpose has been fulfilled, their stories rewritten to protect the narcissist’s image. The sunflowers in the piece, symbols of light and loyalty, serve as an ironic contrast to the hollow soul beneath the golden glow.
Prints and merchandise are available at our #RedBubble and various other stores (links in bio).
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Private Collection of Kit Bennett