Toska

“No single word in English renders all the shades of Toska. At its deepest and most painful, it is a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause. At less morbid levels it is a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness, mental throes, yearning. In particular cases it may be the desire for somebody of something specific, nostalgia, love-sickness. At the lowest level it grades into ennui, boredom.”

While searching for a perfect name to add to this artwork, I stumbled upon many beautiful Russian words, so rich in meaning. And the word Toska really resonated with what I wanted to embody while creating this painting. So complex yet so simple, just like a human soul.