The Inside Joke
My latest artwork, "If She Only Had A Head On Her Shoulders," is equal parts social commentary, an extension of the ongoing Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos themes, and an inside joke (for those of you that get it). On the surface, it features a portrait of a skeleton posing in a model fashion shoot, dressed in a wholesome country outfit. It is part of a larger series of paintings, "The Inside Joke" (you can see the full gallery at elvissantana.com), and a deeper commentary on narcissism. More and more on social media, we see picture perfect lives that travel from one scene to another, often hiding the fractured stories beneath the surface. The childhood wounds and traumas that drive the constant need for validation, the skeletons in their closets, and the discarded souls left behind as they seek new sources of admiration in an unquenchable quest to be seen. They surround themselves with younger followers and fleeting friendships, desperate to cling to the illusion of beauty and relevance as it fades.
This particular piece came about as part of a happy accident. It was one of three attempts at the same artwork, and during the process, the paint ripped while removing it from the gel plate. Rather than discard it, I decided to pivot and layer another print over it, transforming it into a collage and inspiring the title “If She Only Had A Head On Her Shoulders.” The title itself is a playful nod to the process, with its layered meaning adding to the humor behind the inside joke. The second print follows the first piece, “A Country Tear,” which shares a similar creative evolution. I am now working on a third clean pull, but the imperfect versions hold a special place in my heart, each telling its own story of transformation and resilience.
Prints and merchandise are available at our #RedBubble and various other stores (links in bio).
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Private Collection