Pleasing Puppeteer (2024)

The painting addresses the concept of "people pleasing" and the internal and interpersonal dynamics associated with it. "People pleasers" always act and make decisions based on the needs of others - the classic "always trying to please others". It's not just about doing someone a favor or doing something good because that person is important to you. Rather, there is a deeper manipulation at the heart of it. The people pleaser manipulates in order to be liked, loved or at least not rejected. His actions arise from a deep fear of rejection or conflict. You could say he keeps the peace. But whose peace? Certainly not his own, but that of the other person.

In the painting, this is symbolized by the depiction of two hands. The upper hand, acting as a puppeteer, shows visible strain and discomfort. The threads used to create this closeness cut deeper and deeper into the upper hand, while resting seemingly comfortably on the fingers of the lower hand. This illustrates the sacrifices the people pleaser makes to maintain a harmonious façade.

The positions of the palms are particularly striking. One hand is turned away and hidden in the shadow, while the other is open and illuminated. This reflects the inner needs and peace of the two people. The hidden hand symbolizes the people pleaser's own suppressed needs.

The painting deliberately avoids making a moral judgement of the parties involved. Instead, it is intended to raise awareness and encourage the viewer to question why they act in a certain way towards certain people and how important it is to set personal boundaries.

Another hidden detail - the puppet strings of connection: Because not everything that glitters is gold.