The Inside Joke
My latest artwork, "Abandoned Garden," is equal parts social commentary woven into the ongoing Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos themes and an inside joke (for those of you that get it). It is part of my larger series, "The Inside Joke" (you can see the full gallery at elvissantana.com), an artistic exploration and analysis of narcissism through the lens of personal experience and observation. "Abandoned Garden" features a skeletal woman, the personification of death and emotional abandonment, standing before a lush, blooming garden — a representation of life, growth, and care. The contrast between the figure and the setting reflects how a narcissist exists surrounded by life yet contributes nothing to it. One of the earliest red flags I have noticed in narcissistic behavior is their inability to nurture or care for living things. They will adopt pets, only to discard them when the novelty fades, or purchase plants for decoration and forget them once watering becomes inconvenient. This disregard extends to their relationships, especially with their children, who often appear perfect in family portraits and social media posts but are raised in emotional absence while their parents chase validation, recognition, and career advancement.
The “abandoned garden” becomes both metaphor and mirror — a reflection of how narcissists move through life, mimicking affection while remaining incapable of true connection. Their love is performative, their empathy rehearsed, and their attention fleeting. They are drawn to empaths and caretakers, people who feel deeply and try to heal others, because such individuals provide the admiration and emotional sustenance they crave. But this relationship dynamic is parasitic. Over time, the narcissist’s need for control and validation consumes everything around them, leaving their victims drained, doubting, and diminished. Even their own children are not immune to this cycle, growing up confused by the contrast between public perfection and private neglect. "Abandoned Garden" stands as both a visual metaphor and a warning — that what appears beautiful on the surface can often conceal decay beneath. It is a reminder that love without care, like a garden without water, eventually dies.
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Private Collection
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