Broken people (2021)

Original oil painting on canvas

Framed in black wood frame

Size 32 cm x 42 cm

Existence precedes essence, meaning human beings first come into existence and then determine their own essence. Many philosophers believe that suffering is the inevitable consequence of living. For Friedrich Nietzsche suffering has meaning in so much that it allows for self-transcendence. The pain and grief that we experience throughout our lives offer the basis for flourishing as human beings. The painting reflects the bravery and strengths of people who in face of suffering survive every obstacle.

Survivors often hold a dualistic view that bears an interesting resemblance to the mind-body dualism advanced by the philosopher Descartes, who argues the mind and body are two radically different entities. Often survivors of abuse disavow, disown, or dissociate from their bodies. With many, there is the sense of being self-fractured. The therapeutic recommendation is that to restore one’s humanity, they must stop waging war against their body. Moreover, they must integrate mind and body. This mind-body dualism can also be interpreted as ‘I have pain, therefore I am’.