Treasuryofsouls 2017

Mary Jane Ansell painted *Treasuryofsouls* with oils to, I suppose, give us some kind of vision, an idea. The way the tones are layered builds up a certain depth, like a whisper becoming a shout. Look at the surface – it’s smooth but you can almost feel the texture of the feathers, the way the light catches them. See how the greys and whites in the bird's feathers play against the darker background? It's as if the artist is saying, "Here's something delicate, something strong." There's a vulnerability there, but also a real strength in the gaze of the subject. It reminds me of Frida Kahlo, the way she used her own image to explore pain and resilience. But art isn't about answers, it’s about questions. It’s about looking and feeling and letting it all sink in.