The Truth Amongst Pretty Feathers
Acrylic on wood board
12 in x 9 in x 1½ in
This acrylic painting explores the theme of deception vs reality and emotions of awe, fear and wonder. The tangled forest represents the world, full of lies and multiple pathways through which one can go astray. Amongst the forest stands a peacock, which symbolizes deception in Islamic text as its pretty feathers hide its muddy feet. Water represents the truth in Islam; thus, the water reflects a human, signifying one’s identity amongst the confusion in this world. The night sky is at the bottom of the painting, symbolizing religious morals which inform one’s judgment and way of life.
Using the soft-body and hard-body acrylics, I created a layered piece with an attention to minute details and the effects of lights. I played around with abstraction at the top of the painting, where I simplified the forest and sky by creating two bars of blues and yellow-greens.
