Saren Dobkins - Original ‘The Other Side of Paradise’,

‘The Other Side of Paradise’, an expressionist oil painting, places the figure in an environment which reflects our natural coastal surroundings of bright sunshine and waterways. It explores the societal angst many people experience, despite living in a ‘perfect and beautiful place’ on the coast. The ubiquitous smiley emoji, conveys all is well, while behind the smile, we struggle with more complex situations and emotions. A distorted mirror, as the body of water upon which he gazes, reflects the disconnect with how we feel and what we ‘post’ to the world. The porous surface evokes the fluid world we inhabit as we search for a sense of place, often unable to gain a solid ‘grip’.