This series of oil paintings by Forest Young features members of the artist's family as central figures, each portraying one of the three symbolic gestures: wearing a mask to signify silence, closing their eyes to avoid seeing, and covering their ears to block out sound. Through this evocative imagery, the series reflects on the pervasive tendencies of avoidance and suppression in modern society. By using his family as subjects, the artist brings a deeply personal dimension to broader social issues, exploring themes of communication, emotional isolation, and the unspoken dynamics within intimate relationships. The paintings invite viewers to contemplate the cost of "not looking, not listening, and not speaking"—both in familial bonds and in society at large.
