Rest rehearsal, 2022 Oil, Acrylic, Embroidery on Canvas 72 x 60 inches

Painting is one of the many forms of art out there and it can be used to interpret our most authentic selves, radiating in love or hate, wants or needs. We require no special occasion to whip out brushes soiled in paint and splash them across primed canvases; our heart tells us when the moment is right. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts to man is our ability to express ourselves without constraints, as it can be viewed as a way to keep our sanity during chaotic times. Blissfully aware of the plights in the world, we might go as far as portraying the things longed for on a white surface. For this artist, Roanna Tella, she hides her longing for rest in the depth of her work, from colour usage to the portrayal of her figures.

Messing with oil paint tubes and its contents in her first year in university, the artist became intrigued by the extraordinary effects of art. Inspired by the full spectrum of emotions, Roanna’s works are a candid exploration of the inner self which delves into the human thought process and provides a visual narrative into emotional states by examining how people explore mental resilience and respond to unfamiliar or traumatic experiences. With varied tones of cerulean, ultramarine, purples, and related hues, she creates an alternate reality by situating herself in dreamscapes where she gets to be at rest and unperturbed by external expectations of the chaos in her present reality.

While there is no denying that envisioning and portrayal are entirely different things, and the latter is much more difficult to do, Roanna’s figures give off her intentions well enough. She relies on her colourful palette to engage her viewers to her figures; their posture, their expressions and relationship with each other, and the world around them. They give us an emotional draw, beckoning us into their stories and sharing with us a piece of their emotions. While gender is not slapped in our faces, we can tell her figures depicted are portrayed with feminine features swimming in nature’s tranquility. They make you want to watch them from afar. That any sudden movement may disturb their peace. When you look at Roanna’s oil paintings, you cannot help participating, emphasizing and understanding the reason for their rest.

Read Full Interview in our Issue 8