Bruised Brute is a piece that explores the theme of a wounded lover unable to reciprocate love. The work draws inspiration from the visual imagery of bruises, viscera, and wounds. It features organic glass forms that resemble internal organs, nestled within a scabby, leather-like material. The process used to create the work is abrasive and erosive, much like the experience of loving someone who won't allow you to get close. The glass is etched and lacerated, exposing its vulnerable inner layers, symbolizing the emotional wounds inflicted by unrequited love. The excessive adornments on the surface of the piece represent our obsessive desire and act as a distraction from the painful reality that we cannot heal a broken vessel, no matter how deeply we may love someone. Ultimately, Bruised Brute is a powerful reminder that some wounds are too deep to be mended and that loving someone who cannot love us back can leave us with lasting scars.
