• "Painting from the 'FAKE OR REAL' series, an expansion of 'It Came Out a Bit Sad, So I Put on a Smile.' The artwork features a self-portrait of the artist, Liya Ella Raspberry, with zebras and the repeating 'FAKE' text in the background, exploring the tension between authenticity and societal façades."
  • "Close-up of the signature and edition number on the bottom left corner of Liya Ella Raspberry’s painting from the expanded 'It Came Out a Bit Sad, So I Put on a Smile' series. The image shows the artist's signature, the 'Let Z Be' studio logo, and the unique edition number of the artwork."
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let Z be

FAKE OR REAL

FAKE OR REAL

$336.00 USD
$336.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Original painting 
Acrylic, Oil, and Pastel on 300g Paper
Size: 73x55 cm 
Signed and Dated

In this evocative work from the expanded series "It Came Out a Bit Sad, So I Put on a Smile," the artist shifts the focus from the external smile to the internal struggle for authenticity. The figure, a self-portrait, stands without a smile, surrounded by zebras with wings — a symbol of liberation and the yearning for freedom from the societal constraints that hinder true self-expression. The repeated "FAKE" text serves as a poignant critique of the societal pressures that compel us to mask our authentic emotions, questioning whether such façades are necessary for survival. This piece challenges the viewer to reflect on the tension between societal expectations and personal authenticity, offering a deeper contemplation on identity, vulnerability, and the role of self-protection in a conformist world.
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