"Be Love" emerges as a poignant invocation within Annie Wood's evocative mixed media composition. This 24x24 oil painting, a mesmerizing tableau of textural depth and chromatic subtlety, encapsulates Wood's distinctive blend of abstraction and figuration. The canvas serves as a realm where shadow and substance converge, revealing ghostly profiles that float amidst a somber palette of greys and blacks, punctuated by a golden hand and whispers of floral pink and bright yellow highlights.
A key feature of this piece is the incorporation of real bark, ingeniously placed near the golden hand. This element introduces an organic texture that not only enriches the tactile quality of the work but also symbolizes the grounding force of nature amidst the fluidity of human emotions. The use of natural materials brings an authentic touch to the artwork, bridging the gap between the ephemeral and the eternal.
The phrase "be Love," boldly rendered across the canvas, acts not just as a visual anchor but as a thematic beacon, urging viewers to embrace love as a transformative power. This calligraphy intertwines with the ethereal faces, suggesting that love is both a personal journey and a collective experience.