- Year
- 2021
- Medium
- pastel & charcoal on paper
- Size
- 19.7 × 23.6 in · 50 × 60 cm
The silent figure stood steadfast against the swirling backdrop, determined in stance yet surrounded by unknown mysteries. As the artist, I sought to convey the inner struggles we all face merely by surviving in this world. Through brush and pastel, I attempted to translate the resilience of the human spirit in its endless battles - some seen, some unseen.
This solitary man poised for battle represents each individual's personal fight. We each wage our own formless war against the difficulties of daily life, the challenges that attempt to knock us from our path. Whether seeking love, work, provision or peace of mind, the challenges are as diverse as humanity yet the drive to overcome is shared by all. No matter the obstacles, we continue throwing ourselves into the breach, refusing to be weighed down by problems or beaten by adversaries without form.
The spiraling colors serve to symbolize the countless uncertainties that orbit around us, constantly shifting and changing like the winds of fortune. Yet just as this fighter stands undaunted, so must we persist despite life's many unknowns. We battle not necessarily to defeat any singular foe but simply to walk another day, to take another step towards our goals and dreams. As long as the will to fight remains within, as long as we meet each new challenge with the same resolve as the man in this painting, then ultimately we ensure our own continued survival - both as individuals and as a species. This is the quiet triumph I sought to convey through "I therefore fight (part 1)."
