The art inspiring us
When Life Gives You Lemons. 2020.
Ayotunde Ayobello
Oil on canvas
Bold imagery and vivid contrasts converge in this work, where stillness and intensity coexist. The figure, framed by a tree heavy with fruit, lemons, or perhaps mangoes, stands as both subject and metaphor. These fruits, unchosen yet abundant, embody life’s circumstances: the inheritances, burdens, and blessings thrust upon us without consent. Their weight reminds us of the paradox of existence, what we cannot control often shapes us most.
The subject’s contemplative stance suggests a silent negotiation with this truth. In the language of psychology, it reflects the work of radical acceptance, embracing what cannot be changed, and the practice of reshaping thoughts through mindful engagement, as in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
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