'Mirror..mirror' - Tharien Smith

Dimensions: 65 x 90 cm (25.6 x 35.4 inches)

Medium: Mixed media on canvas

'Mirror..mirror' is an evocative mixed-media work on canvas by Tharien Smith that critically examines themes of beauty, competition, and the female gaze. The artwork measures 65 cm (Height) x 90 cm (Width) and utilizes Smith's signature layered technique to create a sense of psychological depth and distortion.

The composition features a line of four women in swimwear, appearing almost like contestants in a beauty pageant, with numbers visible on their waists. The figures are rendered in a muted, sepia-toned palette of browns, creams, and pale pinks, which lends the scene a nostalgic yet clinical atmosphere. A sheer, translucent fabric is stretched over the canvas, creating rhythmic vertical folds and ripples that partially obscure the figures. This "veil" acts as a metaphor for the societal filters and mirrors through which women are often viewed and judged.

Smith’s use of mixed media—combining figurative painting with textile manipulation—invites the viewer to peer through the layers, questioning the authenticity of the "self" when placed under constant scrutiny. The title, 'Mirror..mirror', draws a direct connection to the fairy-tale trope of seeking external validation, while the visual distortion suggests a more complex, fractured reality behind the performative surface.

International Shipping available and charged on a quote basis - Please email partnersgalleryza@gmail.com for enquiries.