Untitled (BC-007)

Curator’s reflection

In this haunting and symbolic work, William Henry Broome presents a vision that is both confronting and deeply personal. The central figure stands at the threshold between anguish and revelation-mouth open in a silent cry, eyes wide with a raw, unfiltered intensity. She appears both vulnerable and otherworldly, as if calling out from a realm beyond ordinary understanding.

Below her lies another self—upside down, eyes open and unblinking, framed by a cascade of red. This duality suggests the many layers of identity we carry: the self we show the world, and the self we keep buried within our fears, memories, and pain.

The dark, turbulent background swirls with energy, reflecting an inner storm or spiritual struggle. Yet within this chaos, Broome uses bold color and form to create a sense of presence—of something seeking to be seen, heard, and understood.

Broome often painted from the depths of his own experience. This piece speaks to the silent battles that shape us, the inner voices that cry out for release, and the possibility that healing begins when we acknowledge all parts of ourselves.

Looking closer

What emotions do you feel from the figure's open mouth and wide eyes?
Why do you think Broome painted the second face upside down?
How does the use of red draw your attention and influence the mood?
What might the contrasting figures say about different parts of our identity?
In what ways does this painting reflect inner struggles or hidden feelings?

A moment to reflect

There is a voice within us that speaks in silence-and it is often the loudest. He left more than paintings. He left a life painted in brushstrokes.

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