Description

I was inspired to create this piece during lockdown, a time when I felt very isolated. I identified with this duck which reminded me of ‘the ugly duckling’, a rejected and sad character. The watercolour paint produces a blurry effect which contributes to the character’s emotional turmoil and adds to the desolate quality of the landscape. Even though the duck is on its own and has left society, it hasn’t lost its dignity. The touches of colour on its feathers symbolise its past self which it is still clinging onto and its desire to shine through darkness, like a fire which is close to being extinguished. The ‘ugly duckling’ seems to be staring at the viewer, revealing its pain and vulnerability.  The contrast between the blue in the foreground and the green in the background foreshadows the crawling fear of being submerged by nothingness and never-ending loneliness.