“Silence is poetry” by Piotr Horodyński is a painting that delves into the theme of decision-making, often entailing challenging life choices. Through this piece, the artist narrates a tale of human existence, where the game of chess played by the central character symbolizes the ongoing struggles we face daily. In many ways, the lives of numerous individuals, particularly in so-called civilized societies, resemble an endless game.
The painting’s symbolism is intricate, subtle, and captivating. At its core is a portrayal of a beautiful woman, reflecting the profound importance of beauty in our societal constructs. Aging and bodily imperfections have unfortunately become stigmatized, leading to feelings of shame. Pursuing beauty has consequently become a predominant life goal, almost a societal obligation, especially burdening women with immense pressure. The flowing fabric depicted in the artwork appears reminiscent of wings, which can be interpreted both literally—as part of the woman’s attire— and metaphorically as a symbol of yearning for liberation from imposed constraints. Wings also signify freedom, the pursuit of individual paths, heeding one’s intuition, and realizing personal aspirations. “It gives me wings”… “To be as free as a bird”… These are common things to say. But here, the bird is trapped in a golden cage, seemingly voluntarily. The cage is not closed, yet the bird does not fly away, does not escape. Why? What holds the bird back? What inhibits its flight? The bird’s wings, and the “fabric wings” of the woman. And the symbolic, strikingly meaningful “golden cage”. These elements evoke numerous questions. They force us to stop, to reflect.
Chess is the final important motif of the painting.
The scattered pawns represent the chaos inherent in life, arising from the need to please others and meet societal expectations. Yet, these pawns also symbolize the essence of the game —strategy, adaptation, and decision-making— accompanied by inherent doubts. The quality of our lives depends on the move we make.
Where to move the pawn? What manoeuvre to choose? What will bring us happiness? – the golden cage, or spreading our wings, living in harmony with ourselves.
