Look who's talking

In this portrait, Nadja Willekens explores contemporary aesthetics by using hand gestures and poses in the virtual world and on selfies as a foundation. She highlights the phenomenon of adopting an alternative identity and the resulting alienation in our digital age. Digital loners hide behind online personas, presenting a curated version of themselves, while their true personalities become fully visible only in the physical world. Willekens emphasizes the interaction between these two worlds in her work, showing how they influence each other and collectively shape the experience of identity.

The portrait combines traditional painting techniques with contemporary elements such as vibrant colors, visible structures, and deliberately unpainted areas. This creates a visual interplay that reflects the duality of visibility and concealment in modern society. The work invites reflection on how identity is constructed and presented, challenging us to reconsider how we seek balance between what we show the world and the hidden aspects of who we truly are.