Woman in Love 2018

Editor: This oil painting, "Woman in Love," created in 2018 by Michael Cheval, really captures the eye. It's so dreamlike and strange! What jumps out at you the most when you look at this piece? Curator: The symbolic language is so rich, isn't it? Notice how the woman’s headpiece, adorned with ears and a snail, echoes the spiral form in the background. Spirals often symbolize evolution, growth, and even the cosmos. What do you think the artist might be saying by associating these ideas with the woman? Editor: Perhaps it suggests she's on a journey of self-discovery or transformation in love? The snail, though...is that about the slow pace of love unfolding? Curator: Precisely! And ears…think about the act of listening, of truly hearing the other person. Are these external ears or representations of an internal listening? In psychoanalysis, ears can be associated with receptivity and unconscious desires. Editor: So, it's not just about romantic love, but also about listening to oneself? What about the little bird? Curator: Ah, birds frequently symbolize freedom, messengers between worlds, or even the soul taking flight. Consider it placed on her finger: she is holding or considering this possibility. Does the bird echo an answer to the listening? It's as though Cheval is creating a visual poem about the multifaceted nature of love and the self. Editor: I see. The symbolism creates layers of meaning that really deepen the emotional impact of the work. Curator: Absolutely. Cheval uses recognizable symbols in new configurations to create intriguing narratives, inviting us to contemplate love's complexities. It is interesting how it carries many older symbols of love through art history. Editor: It’s fascinating to unravel these layers, thank you!