Centenary of Independence 2017

Alexander Roitburd created this oil painting whose title resonates with a sense of national pride alongside a figure veiled in sorrow. The most prominent symbols are the oysters arranged in a semi-circle around the crouching figure. Oysters, historically linked to Aphrodite, goddess of love, often symbolize fertility and sensuality. Yet, here, their open shells and fleshy interiors, contrasting with the figure's despair, may suggest a different narrative. This juxtaposition echoes the "melancholia" motif found in Dürer's work, where symbols of potential creation surround a figure paralyzed by introspection. The act of covering one's face speaks to an inward turn, a confrontation with the self, reminiscent of mourning rituals across cultures. It is a primal gesture, reflecting a deep, subconscious lament. This sorrow, intertwined with symbols of life, creates a tension that invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of history, where joy and despair are eternally entwined.