Woman with skulls

This work plays with the tension between innocence and threat. The central figure appears open and almost cheerful at first glance, yet the repetition of skulls in the background introduces a persistent, inescapable presence. They don’t confront the viewer directly; instead, they hover and repeat, turning the space into something enclosed rather than decorative.

The figure’s wide eyes and exaggerated smile feel performative—less an expression of joy than a practiced response. The contrast between her soft, rounded features and the stark graphic skulls suggests an internal dissonance: an attempt to appear calm while surrounded by reminders of mortality, fear, or unresolved history.

Rather than depicting death as dramatic or violent, the skulls function as quiet background noise—ever-present, normalized, and impossible to ignore. The flat black field compresses the space, removing any sense of escape and pushing the figure forward, closer than comfort allows.

In a room, this piece subtly unsettles. Its bold graphic contrast gives it immediate visual impact, but the imagery slowly shifts the mood of the space. It introduces a psychological edge—something playful on the surface, yet persistently watchful underneath—making it a work that stays active long after the first glance

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John Stockwell is an artist based in the lush hinterland of Maleny, Queensland.

For a decade he worked as a portrait artist, honing his skill in capturing the human face with precision and sensitivity. Eventually, though, the pull of pure imagination became too strong to ignore. He set aside realism and began creating bold, quirky, exaggerated characters—wide-eyed women with swirling gazes, outsized lips, and a mischievous energy that leaps off the page.

His current works are playful, slightly absurd, and unapologetically expressive. Bright colours, distorted features, and unexpected scenarios (Glittering fish, lurking cats, floating skulls) combine to create scenes that feel both humorous and oddly haunting.

John’s art is about letting the subconscious run the show—turning everyday moments into surreal little stories that make you pause, smile, and look twice.

You can find his original drawings and limited-edition prints exclusively on Bluethumb