bpd SoulWindows DeborahKoffChapin 46 Deborah Koff

The work presents a layered composition dominated by faces and hands rendered in a muted, predominantly purple-grey palette. The surface texture appears rough, almost geological, suggesting a sculpted or cast medium rather than a traditional painted canvas. A larger face occupies the upper portion of the piece, its features softened and indistinct, conveying an impression of weariness or introspection. The eyes are closed, contributing to this sense of inward focus.
Superimposed upon this primary visage is a pair of hands, positioned centrally and partially obscuring the lower half of the face above. These hands appear almost skeletal in their rendering, with elongated fingers that press against the surface. Beneath them, another face emerges, smaller than the first and also possessing closed eyes. The repetition of facial features creates a sense of echoing or mirroring, hinting at interconnectedness or perhaps generational inheritance.
The overall effect is one of veiled emotion and obscured identity. The hands act as both a barrier and a conduit, suggesting an attempt to shield or protect while simultaneously revealing vulnerability. The muted color scheme reinforces the somber mood, evoking feelings of melancholy, introspection, and possibly suppressed trauma. The rough texture contributes to this atmosphere, lending a sense of age and resilience to the depicted figures.
Subtexts within the work might explore themes of familial burden, psychological distress, or the complexities of human connection. The obscured eyes invite contemplation on what remains unseen or unexpressed, while the layered composition suggests a depth of experience that is difficult to fully comprehend. Theres an implication of something hidden, something being guarded, and a quiet plea for understanding embedded within the arrangement of forms.