Not One Without the Other, 2024 + Bonus

Not One Without the Other, 2024 by Sophia Serruya Monteiro 

Not One Without the Other, 2024; Acrylic on Newspaper 11x14 in

This artwork is a dynamic and expressive acrylic painting that depicts two intertwined figures. The figures seem to be engaged in a mirrored or connected pose, with one leaning forward and the other arching back, creating a sense of balance and opposition. The vibrant, contrasting colors — bold yellows, purples, and deep blues — add an intensity to the piece, emphasizing movement and connection. The background is abstract and the brushstrokes are loose and gestural, capturing the raw energy and emotion further highlighting the figures' interaction.

The yellow figure crouching down to the earth, represents a desire for grounding and security, but at the cost of stagnation. This person clings to what is familiar, rooted in a need for stability that paradoxically holds them back. In contrast, the pink figure embodies a yearning for exploration and freedom, stretching outward in search of new experiences, ideas, or possibilities. However, their connection to the earth-bound figure keeps them tethered, preventing them from fully reaching out. This dynamic suggests a struggle between safety and adventure, stability and change. The contrast between these two energies is palpable, making the viewer feel the tension and the inevitable struggle that exists in such a relationship, whether it’s within oneself or with another person. Ultimately, the piece powerfully captures the complexities of being bound by something or someone, while also wanting to escape and explore beyond it.

The figures, despite their contrasting positions, are bound together in a way that suggests they cannot exist without the other — perhaps representing relationships, partnerships, or the balance of opposing forces in life. The choice to paint this on newspaper also adds an extra layer of meaning, perhaps hinting at transience, the passing of time, or the impermanence of life and relationships.

BONUS: Contemplate by the Shore, 2024 Sophia Serruya Monteiro (Soap) 

Contemplate by the Shore, 2024
Acrylic on Canvas

This artwork, portrays a seated figure in a moment of quiet introspection. The figure, painted in soft lavender and pinkish hues, appears nude and is seated against a vibrant, warm-toned background dominated by oranges and yellows. The figure’s facial expression is contemplative, with wide eyes and a subtle sadness or melancholy, further emphasized by the soft, light shadows across the face. The dark wavy hair gently flows, blending into the swirling background, suggesting the figure is immersed in her environment. Her posture—legs bent and arms resting—indicates a moment of stillness, reflection, or vulnerability. The color palette of warm oranges and purples creates a stark contrast, simultaneously representing emotional warmth and solitude. The interplay of these colors enhances the introspective, almost dreamlike quality of the piece, while the abstraction in the background, with its loose forms, leaves room for interpretation, perhaps hinting at nature or the figure’s inner emotional landscape.