Where Time Hesitates
Oil Pastel on Paper
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson, 2026
Where Time Hesitates is a surreal dreamscape by Laura Bernardeschi Nelson that explores the moment of suspension between past and future. Set within an interior that feels both architectural and psychological, the composition presents a quiet stage where decision, memory, and possibility coexist.
At the centre, a simple wooden chair stands unoccupied — a symbol of pause, waiting, and human presence without identity. Nearby, a single red balloon floats gently, tethered yet restless, suggesting hope, fragility, or the pull of what lies ahead. Directional signs appear within the space, subtly pointing toward different temporal paths, reinforcing the idea of choice without instruction.
The room is bathed in warm, saturated tones of red, rose, and dusk-pink, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate yet unsettled. Perspective bends slightly, and architectural lines curve inward, dissolving certainty and grounding the work firmly within the logic of dreams rather than reality.
Executed in oil pastels, the surface retains softness and immediacy, allowing marks to remain visible and expressive. The varnished finish deepens the colour fields while preserving the tactile quality of the medium, enhancing the sense of emotional presence within the scene.
Rather than offering resolution, Where Time Hesitates lingers in the moment before action — the space where reflection overtakes movement, and where the past and future briefly exist at the same distance.
Artwork Details:
- Artist: Laura Bernardeschi Nelson
- Title: Where Time Hesitates
- Year: 2026
- Medium: Oil pastels on paper
- Dimensions: 45 × 35 cm (framed)
- Finish: Varnished
- Presentation: Sold framed
- Signature: Signed on the front and back
- Original: One-of-a-kind artwork
This work will appeal to collectors drawn to surrealism, symbolic imagery, and introspective narratives that invite contemplation rather than explanation.
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson artworld and travels 