Abyss varnished 

Editor: Here we have Joshua LaRock's oil painting, "Abyss varnished". It's...well, the figure and her reflection create an intriguing, almost haunting scene. It reminds me of something out of a pre-Raphaelite painting. What catches your eye when you look at this? Curator: Oh, Pre-Raphaelite indeed! There’s a whisper of Rossetti in that melancholic beauty, don't you think? The stillness... it’s almost as if time itself is holding its breath. And yet, there's also a tension; she's moving forward, seemingly ready to break the mirrored surface of her reality, to rewrite the story of Narcissus, maybe? What does the "abyss" signify for you, personally? Editor: That's interesting - I didn't even consider Narcissus, but now I totally see it. For me, the "abyss" might refer to some kind of inner darkness that the figure is both drawn to, but also emerging from, because it's not a completely bleak image. Curator: Beautifully put! It is a ballet of light and shadow, isn't it? LaRock captures that intimate dance between what is hidden and what we choose to reveal. Consider that shimmering reflection – is it merely a duplication or a confrontation? I'd say it's a rather existential dare. Editor: It really does put a lot into perspective - even just her turned back invites us to contemplate her path. It makes you question if you have the courage to confront yourself. Curator: Exactly! It's about embracing your multifaceted self, like looking into a mirror and really seeing yourself. And if we do that, then, even the abyss might turn out to be surprisingly beautiful. A varnished beauty.