The Inside Joke
My latest artwork, "Poison and Wine," is equal parts social commentary tied into the ongoing Halloween theme and part of my larger series, "The Inside Joke" (you can see the full gallery at elvissantana.com). This series explores narcissism, emotional manipulation, and self-destruction through the lens of personal experience. "Poison and Wine" examines the tragedy of two people trapped in a toxic relationship — a dynamic where both partners are unhealed, emotionally immature, and addicted to the cycle of chaos they create. It is a haunting reflection of love turned poisonous, where passion becomes weaponized and affection turns into a game of dominance and guilt. Both parties cheat, lie, and betray, not out of malice but out of deep-seated fear of abandonment and unworthiness. Yet, neither has the courage to walk away, as each sees in the other a distorted mirror of their own brokenness.
The title, borrowed from The Civil Wars’ haunting song, captures the essence of this emotional conflict — the duality of love as both remedy and poison. The painting represents that fleeting, perfect moment when one partner glimpses the truth and begins to heal, while the other sinks deeper into revenge and bitterness. It is a story of mirrored souls, one ascending toward self-awareness while the other chooses ruin. This duality reflects how love, when corrupted by ego, can become both intoxicating and destructive. The sweetness of affection lures the heart back into danger, convincing it that this time will be different, even as the knife twists deeper. The embrace becomes a performance, the kiss an act of control, and the warmth that once healed now burns.
"Poison and Wine" is a celebration and condemnation of this contradiction — the beauty in destruction, the elegance in tragedy. It speaks to the painful truth that many stay not because of love, but because they cannot face themselves outside of it. This artwork captures the moment of recognition, where love and hate coexist in perfect balance, and where self-awareness becomes both salvation and punishment. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most dangerous poison is the one we mistake for wine.
Prints and merchandise are available at our #RedBubble and various other stores (links in bio).
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Private Collection
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