Dim the light too much and everything turns unrecognizable. Stare directly into the sun and all contour disappears. What the eye and mind can grasp is not simply form and fact.  It is in the folds of brightness and darkness that reality and meaning awaken each other. Scientists, philosophers and artists converge in their fascination for this interplay. Yet there is no High Academy of Seeing. After contemplating it from many angles, most of us ascribe it to instinct and intuition, much like other creatures sharing our planet. 
 
Did you ever watch a cat chasing its own shadow?  Awed at the size, puzzled by the challenge, it is simply perfect as an anecdote. Fear and courage collide in a hilarious display. Heart-melting. Sobering. The menace comes from within. All the energy goes toward fighting an illusion.  
 
How often do we do the same and at what cost? Stepping from the literal into the metaphorical territory, the question bears existential weight. We are so used to thinking in contrasts, so addicted to judging in pairs of opposites. Good and evil. White and black. Friend and foe. How much would our journey change if we contemplated more the continuity of things rather than their extremities?  
 
Just like altering the level of light reveals color, structure and knowledge, it is also the artisan of shadows. A simple misperception blows them out of proportion, making them somewhat unbearable, making us somewhat ridiculous. A reflection of us, obtusely-placed can break relations, communities and ultimately potential for a more fulfilling life. Perhaps it would be useful to look at moral verdicts and daily behaviors with greater composure and allow imagination to go beyond impulse and the easiest of explanations.  
 
In the end, no matter how large, all shadows bow to light. What changes the paradigm and propels us forward at a higher speed is the ability and willingness to learn this. It is my deepest conviction that art has a fundamental role in doing so. By pushing against the edges of convention, it liberates. It mends. It heals. It rekindles dreams. 
 
Here, at WIN Gallery, we bring together beauty and characters that can shape the future. We invite you to discover our collections and we hope that you regard each work you acquire not only as a delightful refuge but as a source of strength. 
 
May you have peaceful holidays, glowing with goodness and joy!  

Irina Stoenescu
WIN Gallery – Chairlady