The Inside Joke
My latest artwork, "A Selfish Era," 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 of narcissism through the lens of personal experiences and interactions. "A Selfish Era" is the first in the series to move beyond narcissism itself and into narcissistic behavior. This week, a friend suggested that the series felt like an attack on women. I explained that this body of work is not gender-specific but a broader examination of human behavior, ego, and emotional patterns. It has been incredibly humbling to hear from both men and women who have connected with these pieces and found healing or recognition within them. That said, I welcome challenges to my perspective because art should provoke thought and dialogue. This piece takes that challenge to heart by turning the lens inward.
"A Selfish Era" is a self-portrait born from a very dark and selfish period of my life. It was a time when my own need for validation and attention caused pain to someone who did not deserve it, and ironically, it also led me into the orbit of the narcissist who would later play such a defining role in this series. I was struggling with many things at the time, and instead of facing them with honesty and courage, I took the easier, more self-centered path. I should have listened when a dear friend told me to go home—three times—and made choices guided by empathy rather than ego. I am not a narcissist, but I was undeniably narcissistic in my actions during that period. Time, however, is the great teacher. It humbles us, strips us of illusions, and forces reflection. Through that reflection, I came to understand the fine line between possessing narcissistic traits and living with full-blown Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
The distinction is critical. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a pervasive and deeply ingrained pattern of grandiosity, entitlement, and a lack of empathy that affects every area of a person’s life. It distorts relationships and prevents genuine self-awareness. In contrast, narcissistic traits are behaviors — not a diagnosis. People with these tendencies can still reflect, feel empathy, and grow if they choose to do the work. This piece is not an apology, but an acknowledgment of accountability. It serves as a reminder that while we may all have moments of selfishness, what defines us is our ability to recognize, confront, and rise above them. "A Selfish Era" is about facing one’s reflection — not the image we project to the world, but the truth that stares back when the mask is gone.
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Private Collection
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