Embracing Vulnerability: The Art of ‘Anxiety’ by Laura Bernardeschi Nelson

you can buy on https://www.saatchiart.com/en-gb/studio/art/12361739/overview

“Anxiety”
Artist: Laura Bernardeschi Nelson
Year: 2024
Medium: Soft pastels and markers on paper
Signed: Front and back, delivered with a certificate of authenticity, varnished

In “Anxiety”, Laura Bernardeschi Nelson captures the emotional complexity of youth through the portrait of a young woman, likely in her twenties. While society often associates this age with freedom and happiness, the artist contrasts these expectations with a more vulnerable reality. The subject appears fragile, insecure, and uncertain—a poignant reflection of the internal struggles many young people face but rarely speak about.

Through her use of soft pastels and markers, Nelson emphasizes the delicate and fleeting nature of this moment in life. The tender use of color, coupled with the somewhat unfinished, raw quality of the work, conveys a sense of emotional fragility. The woman’s expression seems caught between a yearning for strength and an overwhelming sense of confusion, illustrating the intense anxiety that comes with the pressure of finding one’s identity amidst societal expectations.

The piece speaks to the disconnect between how youth is often idealized and the actual internal battles many face as they grapple with self-doubt, insecurity, and the challenge of defining themselves in an uncertain world. This is not the confident, mature youth often depicted in mainstream media but one struggling with emotional turbulence, uncertain of her place in the world—a reminder that the road to self-discovery is rarely a smooth one.

“Anxiety” not only highlights the personal struggles of the subject but also reflects a broader, often overlooked narrative of young people navigating their own vulnerabilities. The artist’s deliberate choice to present her subject in such a raw and honest way invites viewers to confront the often-unseen challenges faced by many in their journey toward self-acceptance.

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