Sentinels 

Jana Brike's painting, "Sentinels" presents a young girl positioned between two deer in a forest, bathed in a dreamlike light. The composition is structured by the vertical lines of the trees contrasting with the soft curves of the figures, creating a serene yet surreal atmosphere. Brike uses a semiotic language, where the girl, deer and butterflies become signs within the painting's symbolic order. The deer, often associated with gentleness and intuition, stand as guardians, framing the girl in a protective stance. The butterflies scattered throughout the scene suggest transformation and freedom, destabilizing the conventional notions of innocence and vulnerability often linked to youth. The interplay of light and shadow enhances the painting's dreamlike quality, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy. This visual effect invites viewers to question fixed meanings and explore deeper emotional or psychological states. "Sentinels" challenges us to consider how art can function as a mirror, reflecting our own interpretations and experiences.