Under Pressure, 2021

Ink on paper – 189 × 262 mm

Under Pressure is a woodcut-like ink drawing with expressive linework that powerfully conveys an intense and compressed psychological state. The composition presents a bald, grimacing head in a tight close-up, flanked by two clenched fists holding a limp human figure. One hand grips the body, while the other forcefully presses down on the figure’s head – an ambiguous gesture evoking violence, dominance, and the loss of self-control.

The stark contrast of black ink on white paper, along with the hatched shading and print-like texture, recalls classical graphic traditions, while the content offers a contemporary psychological reading. The rawness of the lines and the distorted proportions of the figures heighten the inner tension that permeates the entire image.

Under Pressure can be interpreted as an allegory of inner conflict, anxiety, and the struggle with oneself. The small, passive body symbolizes vulnerability, while the contorted, domineering face personifies the oppressive internal forces. This duality – of tormentor and tormented – serves as a visual metaphor for psychic fragmentation and emotional overload.