Discover the Story Behind What We Keep in the Women in Arts Network Virtual Exhibition - Faces
- Jenn Holmes
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
Art has a unique way of capturing moments, emotions, and stories that words alone cannot express. One such piece, What We Keep, is now featured in the Women in Arts Network's virtual exhibition, offering viewers a chance to explore its depth and meaning from anywhere in the world.
The Virtual Exhibition Experience
The Women in Arts Network has created a free-to-use platform where art lovers can explore works by talented female artists without geographical limits. What We Keep is displayed in room one of the Faces Virtual Exhibition.
This virtual setting allows visitors to engage with the painting intimately. Unlike traditional galleries, the online format allows you to pause, reflect, and revisit the artwork at any time. The exhibition’s design encourages viewers to connect with the emotions and stories behind each piece, making it a meaningful experience.
The Evolution of the Painting’s Title
Originally titled All That Was Lost, the painting’s title was changed to What We Keep to better reflect its core message. This shift highlights the contrast between loss and preservation, inviting viewers to consider what remains after difficult experiences.
The new title emphasises resilience and memory. It suggests that even when much is lost, certain elements endure—whether they are feelings, lessons, or fragments of identity. This idea resonates deeply in today’s world, where many face challenges that test their strength and spirit.
Exploring the Visual Elements of What We Keep
At first glance, What We Keep captivates with its rich textures and colour interplay. The artist uses oil paint to create layers that seem to both conceal and reveal, symbolising the complexity of human experience.
Colour Palette: The painting balances warm earth tones with cooler blues and greys. This contrast evokes a sense of tension and harmony, reflecting the emotional push-and-pull between loss and hope.
Brushwork: Varied brushstrokes add depth and movement. Some areas are smooth and blended, while others are rough and textured, suggesting the uneven nature of memory and healing.
Abstract Forms: The shapes within the painting do not depict specific objects but rather evoke feelings and ideas. This abstraction invites personal interpretation, allowing each viewer to find their own meaning.
These visual choices work together to create a piece that is both intimate and universal. The painting speaks to anyone who has experienced change, grief, or transformation.
The Story Behind the Painting
The artist’s inspiration for What We Keep comes from personal reflection on loss and the process of holding on to what matters most. The painting is not just about what disappears but about the fragments that survive and shape who we become.
In interviews, the artist has shared how this work emerged from a period of introspection. It captures the tension between letting go and preserving memories, a theme many can relate to in their own lives. The painting becomes a visual diary, documenting emotional landscapes that are often difficult to express.
How to Engage with What We Keep
Viewing What We Keep in the virtual exhibition offers several ways to connect with the artwork:
Take Time to Reflect: Spend moments observing the details, colours, and textures. Notice how your feelings shift as you explore the painting.
Consider Your Own Story: Think about what you have lost and what you continue to hold onto. How does the painting mirror your experience?
Share Your Thoughts: The exhibition platform encourages dialogue. Engage with other viewers or the artist to deepen your understanding.
This active engagement transforms the viewing from passive observation to a personal journey.
The Importance of Women’s Voices in Art
The Women in Arts Network’s virtual exhibition provides a space where female creativity and stories take centre stage. Women artists often explore themes of identity, resilience, and emotion, enriching the art world. Exhibitions like this one help bring those voices to wider audiences, fostering appreciation and support for diverse artistic expressions.
What to Expect Next
Like What We Keep, I continue to explore themes of memory, identity, and emotional resilience in upcoming works.
What We Keep invites us to pause and reflect on the fragments of our past that shape our present. Its presence in the Women in Arts Network’s virtual exhibition opens a door to a shared human experience, accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
Take a moment to visit room one, immerse yourself in the painting’s textures and colours, and consider what you hold onto in your own life. This artwork is a reminder that even in loss, there is something enduring, something worth keeping.
The original painting and giclee fine art prints are available for sale below.
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