Isolation

8 × 10 inches
Oil on canvas
May 2010
SOLD

Description

Isolation portrays a Deaf person enclosed within a red circle while signing “I Love You.” Although the figure expresses love and connection, they experience profound isolation in a hearing world where no one knows sign language.

The painting reflects the experience of many Deaf children growing up in hearing families and classroom settings without access to American Sign Language. Rendered primarily in black and white, the composition emphasizes loneliness, emotional distance, and the absence of meaningful communication. The red circle serves as a powerful motif, symbolizing being singled out, placed under scrutiny, and made the center of attention while remaining disconnected from those around them.

Despite the barriers and neglect, the Deaf person continues to extend love toward others, even when that love is not returned through accessible communication. Isolation is a De’VIA resistance painting that challenges societal attitudes and highlights the emotional consequences of language deprivation and exclusion experienced by many Deaf people.