A tribute to the transformative power of words as both a weapon and a balm.
This painting explores the duality of strength and vulnerability, symbolizing the poet’s ability to inspire change and heal through words.
Pen and Sword depicts a young woman poet standing on a pedestal that forms the hilt of a sword, symbolizing the power of her words to challenge perceptions and inspire transformation. She embodies the blade—strong, clear, and resolute.
Her clenched fists convey determination and strength, while the delicate dandelions at the hilt hint at tenderness and vulnerability. This duality reflects the unique ability of poetry to confront injustice while offering comfort and hope.
Through its layered symbolism, the painting invites viewers to reflect on the power of art and language to cut through barriers, heal wounds, and shape the human spirit.
Oil and mixed media on canvas
40″ x 24″
Windows Within: Universal Narratives in Fractured Realism
This body of work by Deborah Scott explores the profound connections between personal stories and shared human experiences. Through a series of conversations and interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds, Scott uncovers intimate narratives of struggle, resilience, and triumph. These seemingly unique moments are transformed into powerful works of art, revealing their universality and the interconnectedness of all human experiences.
Each painting in Windows Within serves as both a reflection and a revelation, embodying Scott’s belief that art is a mirror to the complexities of identity and existence. Her work draws on the psychological framework of Johari’s Window, exploring the interplay between the visible and hidden aspects of the self. By blending classical techniques with intentional disruptions—rips, tears, and abstract shapes—Scott creates a dynamic visual language that captures the fragmented, evolving nature of contemporary life.
Windows Within is an emotional and visual journey, inviting viewers to see themselves in the stories of others and to consider the profound universality of human connection.