What the heart whispers

"Here's the thing about love. It's hard to put into words. Love can make you happier than you've ever been, sadder than you've ever been, angrier... And whether you've loved and won or loved and lost, it's always worth it."

When I painted What The Heart Whispers, I wanted to present its symbolic centre—one which has been seen so often it can feel clichéd—in a fresh way. This is the result: what I hope is a deeply evocative piece that explores the multifaceted nature of love. The painting features a textured heart as its central motif, subtly emerging from a rich, layered background of iridescent blues, blacks, and golds. The interplay of light and shadow within the composition mirrors the duality of love—its capacity to bring both joy and sorrow. The Chinese character 愛 ('ngoi' in Cantonese: am unsure how it's pronounced in Mandarin), meaning love, is subtly integrated into the piece, serving as a gentle focal point that bridges cultural and emotional dimensions.

A vertical red line cuts through the left side of the canvas, symbolizing a dividing or connecting force—the boundaries or intersections of love and pain. The raised calligraphic text in soft blue at the bottom adds a poetic layer, inviting us to reflect on the deeper meaning of the piece. The textured surface and abstract elements create a sense of movement and depth, drawing us into the canvas.

For anyone who has journeyed from darkness to light, who has faced challenges yet found small joys that rekindle hope: for all those who believe that love triumphs over our imperfections, brokenness, and the trials we face, this painting is for you.