Torch II, 30x25cm, Carolina Barbarić

"Torch" emerged through an exploratory process, driven by a desire to experiment with new methods of execution and to expand an understanding of materiality, texture, and the application of paint. During this exploration, a narrative emerged as a symbol of a previous perception that had to be burned away in order to reach a new awareness.

The symbol within this work represents the discovery of new parts of oneself at the moment when one confronts a truth that burns away everything excessive and unnecessary for the path ahead. In the face of such truth, old and familiar patterns begin to retreat.

Carolina used oil on cotton canvas—oil being a medium to which she has been devoted for some time—while also seeking to further explore its possibilities on a surface such as cotton canvas, a material that is accessible and well suited for experimentation.

The personal story behind the work emerged unconsciously, revealing itself through an imaginative process that uncovered subconscious layers which surfaced during the act of painting. The following stages of the process involved refining and purifying both the surface and the overall composition of the motif. Carolina leaves space for the viewer to interpret the work in their own way. Foxes can serve as an archetype for many different meanings, allowing each viewer to shape their own narrative.

The work subtly developed into a small series of three pieces, through which Carolina was able to explore a new approach and release an instinctive impulse that ultimately led her towards something more conscious and intentional. The painting was created in a single burst of energy, completed within one day, both due to its smaller format and the intensity of the moment that demanded immediate expression.

Carolina considers the work to carry an intriguing and questioning atmosphere, opening space for an imaginative interpretation of its meaning. The title and the artwork evolved together in synergy, each informing and complementing the other from the very beginning.