#02428 Joan Ponc

The composition presents a complex layering of symbolic elements within a predominantly warm color palette dominated by ochre and burnt sienna tones. A central figure, rendered in fragmented lines and muted colors, appears to be in a state of contortion or struggle. The body is not depicted realistically; instead, it’s suggested through angular shapes and overlapping planes, creating an impression of instability and internal conflict.
To the left of this figure, a stark white candle stands upright against a large circular form that bleeds into the background with shades of red. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension between the purity implied by the candle and the intensity of the surrounding color field. The circle itself could be interpreted as representing wholeness or completion, yet its blurred edges suggest an incomplete state.
Below the central figure lies a geometric design resembling an astrolabe or navigational instrument. Its presence introduces themes of direction, measurement, and perhaps a search for meaning or orientation within a chaotic environment. Scattered across the canvas are small red dots that punctuate the composition, acting as visual anchors and potentially symbolizing moments of awareness or pain.
The artist’s use of line is particularly noteworthy. Sharp, angular lines define the figures form while also creating a sense of confinement and fragmentation. These lines intersect with softer washes of color, generating a dynamic interplay between structure and fluidity. The overall effect is one of disorientation and psychological turmoil.
Subtexts within this work seem to revolve around themes of existential questioning, the fragility of human existence, and the search for order amidst chaos. The fragmented figure suggests a breakdown or disintegration of identity, while the candle might represent hope or remembrance flickering in the face of adversity. The astrolabe hints at an attempt to chart a course through uncertainty, but its placement beneath the struggling form implies that such navigation is fraught with difficulty. Ultimately, the painting conveys a sense of profound introspection and unresolved tension.