The Bare Bones of Narcissism
This is my latest painting titled Casualties of an Affair and it is part of The Inside Joke’s Bare Bones of Narcissism gallery, which explores narcissism and its effects over generations through art. As the second to last work in this series, this piece turns its focus toward narcissistic triangulation and negative gatekeeping, especially as they appear after separation and divorce. The painting is less about a single act of betrayal and more about the sustained manipulation that follows, where relationships are reshaped into instruments of control rather than care.
Narcissistic triangulation is a manipulative tactic in which a third party is inserted into a two person conflict so the narcissist can maintain dominance and avoid accountability. In divorced families, children are often placed directly in this role, pressured to side with one parent against the other and turned into emotional go betweens or messengers. The narcissist positions themselves as the central figure while pitting others against each other, distracting from their own flaws and reinforcing a sense of superiority. This dynamic serves the narcissist’s need for validation and power while destabilizing every relationship around them.
A divorced narcissist may use a child for validation by grooming them into a messenger, spy, or emotional surrogate, manipulating them to report on the other parent, repeat accusations, or affirm a victim narrative. They will use ordinary decisions like medical decisions or where they go to to school as opportunities to creat chaos and arguments and seek prolongud fights and dialogue in an effort to maintian control, attentiom, validation and supply. Tactics include sharing adult information, demanding loyalty, creating guilt, emotional blackmail, and systematically alienating the child from the healthier parent to prove they are the better parent.
The impact on the child is profound and lasting. Confusion, guilt, and emotional distress replace safety, while authentic bonds are damaged by forced loyalty and manipulation. Narcissistic parents often groom their children to be a source of constant supply well into old age, viewing them as extensions of themselves rather than autonomous individuals. This is part of a broader pattern of control and exploitation, not a healthy parenting dynamic aimed at the child’s well being. Casualties of an Affair speaks to these unseen wounds and the generational harm left behind when love is replaced by ego and control.
Prints and merchandise are available at our #RedBubble and various other stores (links in bio).
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/177212954?ref=studio-promote
Did you enjoy these artworks? See the full album and more at our different sites and shops. Just click the link in our bio for more. Make sure to follow us for all our latest posts. Don't forget to share our page! ❤️
Private Collection
IG: @elvissantanaart