In Deep 

Curator: This is "In Deep" by Lucia Heffernan, seemingly crafted with acrylic paint on canvas. What a curious and captivating painting. Editor: It is! My first thought is how dreamlike the piece feels, it gives me a sense of peace, despite its inherent surreality. Curator: The juxtaposition of the terrestrial rabbit and the aquatic setting definitely fuels that surreal quality. Rabbits, throughout history, have symbolized fertility, vulnerability, and even luck, in some cultures. Placing them underwater, among coral and fish, presents an immediate visual paradox. Editor: Exactly. And the closed eyes! This image speaks volumes about adapting to the unexpected and exploring interspecies harmony. There is something profound in rendering animal subjects with so much expression, reminiscent of societal constraints of identity, belonging, and the way communities evolve amidst differing viewpoints. It speaks to a bigger message of tolerance. Curator: I see what you mean! And I appreciate how Heffernan uses realism and fantasy-art styles in conjunction to highlight this message of harmony, blurring the boundaries between worlds. The anemones have such expressive shape and gesture—there's an almost human quality to how they reach around the rabbits. It creates this cocoon of connection and shared vulnerability. Editor: A cocoon of connection, that's beautifully put! In this almost hyper-real, stylized depiction of two serene, affectionate rabbits we find a soothing moment of reflection that transcends boundaries and inspires introspection. They feel completely unbothered, existing where we are told they shouldn’t be, as though everything is, and will continue to be, ok. The piece highlights themes like radical acceptance in uncertain conditions. Curator: "Radical acceptance", I like that concept! "In Deep" presents such a gentle, quietly radical image that prompts reflection on interconnectedness. It almost acts as a mirror reflecting how communities form as unexpected safe havens. Editor: Indeed, it reveals hope during global disruptions! Curator: I agree. Thank you for offering that perspective!