Life Behind the Mask – A Journey Through Color, Emotion, and Hidden Truths
Life Behind the Mask by Anil Kumar Roy
In an age where expressions are often curated and identities filtered, Life Behind the Mask emerges as a bold reminder of what lies beneath the surface. This remarkable acrylic painting by artist Anil Kumar Roy, curated by Pranjal Arts, is more than a canvas—it's a confrontation, a reflection, and an invitation to explore the hidden layers of the human spirit.
We all wear masks.
Not just the literal ones we’ve grown used to, but emotional ones—crafted over years of experiences, expectations, and survival. In Life Behind the Mask, these masks take center stage, not to conceal, but to reveal the paradox of human existence. The golden and black masquerades aren’t just elegant—they speak of wisdom, power, and mystery. They tell stories of lives lived with grace, but also burdened with unspoken truths.
What makes this painting unforgettable is the language of color.
Blue whispers of calm seas and open skies, symbolizing inner peace, wisdom, and vast emotional depth.
Red petals bloom like unspoken desires and brave choices—reminders of courage, admiration, and longing.
Yellow peeks through, illuminating thoughts and ideas, representing the ever-burning light of human intellect.
And gold—bold and timeless—echoes the prestige we chase and the brilliance we hope to hold.
But the painting doesn’t scream for attention. Instead, it pulls you into a quiet space where you begin to question your own masks. The face you show to the world—is it your truth or your armor?
Born of deep academic and artistic roots, Anil Kumar Roy is an artist who paints with purpose. A graduate and post-graduate in Applied Art from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra, and Utkal University of Culture, Odisha, his work reflects a journey of discipline, introspection, and soul-searching. Now based in Delhi, working as a freelance artist, his strokes are seasoned, deliberate, and emotionally resonant.
By seeing the artwork is a short poem:
“A face can only show so much,
laughter along with the tears,
a smile that can never change after many years,
a face can only show so much.”
These lines capture the very essence of the painting. A reminder that behind the daily smiles and composed exteriors, lies a world of unexpressed emotions, memories, and dreams.
Life Behind the Mask is not just for art lovers—it’s for truth seekers. For anyone who has ever smiled through pain, or remained silent when words failed. It’s for those who understand that real beauty often lies beneath what is shown.
