This painting communicates struggles between our internalised and externalised senses of self, and others. We are vulnerable beings, and so is the figure, with her hands clasped protectively over her heart. The world sees her from the appearance she maintains externally. The compulsion to maintain appearances is a product of the tension between the judgement of others, and our desire to protect our vulnerabilities. Even when we want to break down or run from the scrutiny, we can’t always afford ourselves that luxury. I see myself in that conflict too, making this painting also a self-portraiture of my experiences. Because the external appearance in this painting’s figure belies her internal state of individuality. All of us have a rich inner beauty and uniqueness. Our internal vibrancy is as distinctive from each other as our fingerprints. It’s important we look closer than what we find on the outside, to reveal the universal truth of our humanity’s inner depth.