Forbidden Lemon - original art, acrylic on canvas

70x80 cm

Forbidden Lemon is part of the Forbidden Fruit series of paintings by Uslada.

In this series, Uslada alludes allegorically to the many ways in which we have cut

ourselves off from experiencing life in all its many different flavors.

Starting from the archetype of the forbidden apple, Uslada goes on to explore other

flavors - represented by orange, lemon, lime, pear, banana and fig - that we have,

consciously or unconsciously, but in any case irrationally, forbidden ourselves to explore and embrace.

The lemon or lime alone, for example, may be sour, but when they take their allotted place in the palette of flavors of which they are a part, they contribute to ecstasy.

Our inner judge doesn't only clothe sweetness in shame, but makes us mistrustful of every flavor which makes us feel alive. The Forbidden Fruit series expresses the absurdity of our internalized prohibitions on living life passionately and desiring all that desires us.