Between Touch and Separation, 2026

Elena Ushanova  

The suitcase is almost packed, the holiday is just around the corner, but this fluffy companion has other plans. Settled comfortably on his owner's clothes inside the open suitcase, the cat makes his objection to her departure unmistakably clear. She gently strokes her beloved pet, trying to soothe him and find a way to communicate without words. His answer is a wonderfully expressive, deeply unimpressed look — and a refusal to give in.
What begins as a familiar domestic moment becomes a tender and quietly humorous reflection on attachment, intimacy, and the small drama of parting. Touch becomes a language of love: a way to comfort, reassure, and preserve an emotional bond even when separation is near. The humour softens the sadness, reminding us that love is not always convenient, but it is always vividly alive.
Expressive pinks, lavenders, and deep cobalt blues bring energy and movement to the composition, balancing tenderness with the cat's unmistakable stubbornness. Blending contemporary painterly expression with warmth and subtle wit, the work transforms an everyday moment with a beloved pet into a universal story about connection and the desire to stay close.
Sometimes the most touching declarations of love are made without words. And sometimes, love simply climbs into a suitcase and refuses to get out.