"My Illusive Prince’s birthday" is a symbolic and vulnerable work, a surreal portrait exploring longing, illusion, and the complexity of desire. At its centre stands an enigmatic prince against a deep black background, his face divided—the upper half painted red, evoking passion, mystery, and hidden pain.
 
A vase of daisies atop his head suggests hope, contrasting with the tension radiating from his elegant suit, which bears a chilling scene: a sacrificial procession of men adorned with crosses. His extraordinarily long arms fall limply, carrying dual worlds: one side adorned with houses and churches symbolising tradition; the other, crosses evoking mortality. From his lifeless fingers, stems bloom into flowers with women’s faces, gazing in silent judgment or adoration. From his shoulders sprout barren branches where lice crawl, embodying decay and disillusionment.
 
Two heart-shaped butterflies hover—a fragile symbol of love or regret. The piece, created for an idealised online acquaintance, speaks to unfulfilled expectations and reality’s fragile promises. With fine white ink details and red accents representing passion and pain, it captures the vulnerability of relationships and the courage to express unspoken truths.
 
 
 
My illusive prince's nirthday | Mixed Media artwork | Limited & Open Editions
© Loredana Denicola