How they see me (2024) 绘画 由 Ebedmelech Nzume Tsala

This artwork presents a striking duality to the paradox of depression—how it manifests both visibly and invisibly.
• The Visible Side (Left Portrait): The figure with green skin, a bright smile, and a crown of thorns suggests an outward expression of happiness, despite hidden pain. This reflects how people suffering from depression often mask their struggles with forced joy, making their suffering invisible to the outside world. The crown of thorns, traditionally associated with suffering, contrasts with the smile, hinting at inner turmoil behind the cheerful facade.
• The Invisible Side (Right Portrait): The blue-skinned figure with a solemn, almost melancholic expression contrasts sharply with the first. The color blue is often linked to sadness, and the direct gaze suggests vulnerability and raw emotion. The floral crown could symbolize fragility and fleeting beauty, emphasizing how depression, when visible, exposes deep emotional weight and struggle.

Together, these paintings paradoxically represent the duality of depression—how it can be hidden behind a joyful mask or openly displayed in deep sorrow. The vibrant background suggests that life continues unchanged, regardless of one’s inner state, further reinforcing the isolation and contrast between appearance and reality.

I’ve been working on the theme of mental health and its effects on women.