The act of kissing is centuries old and is practiced in most cultures worldwide. It can be exchanged between two people as a sign of friendship, peace, respect, affection, or love. There are hundreds of paintings and sculptures that capture this moment.
I sought to capture the change of emotion accompanying the first kiss. For the male, it is the moment when his awkward, nervous advance transforms into a gentle caress. For the female, it is the moment when the urge to repell the advance gives way to the recognition of the pleasure of the embrace. These differing emotions are conveyed by their hands.
This was the first piece I entered and got accepted into a juried exhibition. It was deemed best in show. The jurist perceived the stylized form of this piece as a cross between the simplicity of Brancusi and the exagerrated volume of Botero. I will be forever grateful for her comments and encouragement.
