Madeleina Kay

'Trepidation' is an A3, acrylic on perspex painting which I created in 2020. It was made during the pandemic when society as a collective were experiencing high-levels of anxiety due to the uncertainty caused by Covid-19. The painting was a reflection on the acknowledgment of mental suffering where more people were speaking openly about their feelings - the choice of a male figure was deliberate to challenge the traditional societal expectations on men to supress their emotions and not show any weakness. The background is inspired by the night's sky, to represent the restless sleep/insomnia which is often caused by worrying, but also to symbolise the opportunity for development which can arise from allowing yourself to embrace fear and be open to the process of dreaming.