Untitled (New Horizons)

Untitled (New Horizons)

Herschend, Abbi

Untitled (New Horizons) is an abstract painting I created during a period of many transitions in my life, grappling with a way to work through and express some of what I was experiencing. Changing my major, ending a four-year relationship, and moving away from my roommates and into an apartment by myself, this painting helped me work through finding the balance between endings and beginnings and all the delicate emotions that live in the transitions. Through the lens of an abstract airplane window, I invite the viewer to reflect on the horizon line and determine whether it is representative of a rising sun and all the promise it brings with it or the quiet beauty of a sunset, each representing both an ending and a new beginning. The swirling blues and purples suggest the bittersweet emotions tied to departure and endings, while the peachy pinks and vibrant oranges intertwined within signal the optimism and exhilaration of stepping into the unknown. The interplay of these colors symbolizes the complexity of personal growth and flourishing as we leave behind what no longer serves us and embrace new opportunities. This painting explores the delicate balance between tranquility and energy, capturing the excitement of moving forward and new beginnings while embracing the almost calm melancholy that accompanies shutting doors and saying goodbye to one’s past self. The abstract nature of the piece allows space for individual interpretation, where the viewer can find meaning in the fluid connection between past and future, sadness and joy.