Tenderness

“The series entitled “Tenderness” consists of three paintings that explore the relationship between vulnerability, tenderness, and one’s overwhelming need to feel loved. Self-reflexively, the paintings emphasize that we expect and convey love primarily through visual means.

The two paintings referencing social media discovers that even eroticism is mainly the desperate means to achieve being seen and being able to receive tenderness, maybe even love. The obvious neediness, however, defeat this purpose, bringing victimisation into mind. The basic contradiction between the clearly delineated figures and their need to cross boundaries structures the paintings.

In the painting featuring two characters, the protagonist dog tries to convey love to his/her emotionally closed-off owner not only visually but also by touch, smell and taste. However, the viewers can clearly discern that communication fails because the woman closes off herself by shutting her eyes.”

Nora Juhasz