What do we really know about our first mother and father? Our connection to them is important, as indicated by their position and the use of gold paint. The figures are prominently positioned in the center of the canvas, facing the viewer. However, their link to us is also tenuous. They are standing surrounded by a black and white static pattern and their eyes resemble opaque stones. It seems tey belong to a time so distant from ours that we cannot imagine the personalities of the first homo sapiens.
In this re- imagining, the expressions on their faces convey a sense of sadness or disillusionment, suggesting the weight of knowledge and experience. Despite their closeness and overlapping forms, their gazes do not meet, hinting at a disconnect or tension in their relationship. The artwork is dominated by dark, earthy tones with vibrant accents of red, blue, and gold. The somber background creates a sense of mystery and ambiguity, while the brighter colors draw attention to specific features such as the eyes and mouths.
The use of markers adds visual interest, introducing linear elements and graphic patterns that contrast with the painted background. It's as if Skyler is reminding us that all that remains of them are a series of outlines—the stories such as the one the Bible tells us about the first individuals of our species. And, of course, we share a common lineage of genes.
Shifting to the style of their depiction, Eve's elongated face and wide eyes convey vulnerability or a sense of being forlorn, while Adam's stoic expression and prominent jawline suggest strength and perhaps insensitivity. Eve also has elongated, almost mask-like features, with large, fathomless eyes and a heavy emphasis on the lips. The Bible suggests that Eve tells Adam something that, in the pursuit of wisdom or power, gets them both in trouble. The figure on the right (Adam) has more subdued, distorted features, with a clearer emphasis on one ear.
Eve is depicted as the more complex and multi-faceted figure, simultaneously alluring and apprehensive, while Adam appears more passive and enigmatic. This reversal of traditional roles encourages viewers to question the Bible narrative as well as assumptions about masculinity and femininity.
The way Skyler has deconstructed and reassembled their faces with different elements (markers, paint, and disjointed features) probes themes of identity, fragmentation, or even the incomplete nature of humanity. Eve and Adam, and by extension modern individuals, are imperfect beings, constantly evolving or changing. Consequently, our images of the first beings are likely to change as well.
