TimeFlies Mary Engelbreit

The artwork presents a whimsical and somewhat unsettling scene centered around the relentless passage of time. A young girl, rendered with a stylized, almost cartoonish quality, is depicted in mid-leap, her body contorted in a dynamic pose suggesting both effort and urgency. She grasps at a large bird – specifically, a pigeon – that carries a prominent clock face suspended from its chest. The clock displays a time nearing midday.
The background consists of a muted, beige sky, sparsely populated with smaller, stylized birds that seem to be scattering or fleeing. A banner curves across the bottom of the composition, bearing the phrase Whether Youre Having Fun Or Not, which immediately introduces an element of irony and resignation.
Several layers of meaning emerge from this arrangement. The girl’s struggle to hold onto the bird suggests a desire to control or at least influence time’s progression – a futile endeavor given the creature’s flight. Her expression is difficult to discern, but her posture conveys a sense of determination mixed with perhaps a touch of anxiety.
The pigeon, traditionally associated with peace and gentleness, here becomes an instrument of temporal pressure. The clock it carries isnt merely decorative; it serves as a stark reminder of time’s impartial march forward. The phrase on the banner reinforces this notion – time continues regardless of personal enjoyment or circumstance. It implies that even in moments of pleasure, the inevitable flow of time remains unaffected.
The overall effect is one of playful melancholy. While the style leans towards lightheartedness, the underlying message speaks to a universal human experience: the awareness of time’s fleeting nature and its indifference to individual desires. The artist uses fantastical imagery to explore a profound theme with a touch of dark humor.