EROS & ATROPHY Full Collection

EROS&ATROPHY by MARKEL is a six-panel polyptych that plunges deep into the realms of vulnerability, love, and self-protection. The segmented structure of the piece amplifies its exploration of the tension between openness and fortification, between love that flows freely and the barriers we build to guard ourselves from pain. Each panel becomes a fragment of the larger emotional narrative, reflecting the fragmented nature of love, heartbreak, and the psychological layers we construct over time. Inspired by Greek mythology and personal experience, EROS&ATROPHY weaves together the delicate and the defensive, creating a visual dialogue that is both intimate and universal.

Full Quote from MARKEL:

"Eros is the Greek god of love (most people think it’s Aphrodite, but she’s actually the god of sexual love). Atrophy, the shrinking of an organ. I’ve always been a deeply sensitive person. So when I love someone, I love them very deeply. I was always the person to say ‘we can figure this out.’ I was always the person who held on longer. I was always the person to hurt myself so you wouldn’t feel guilty. So as a way to defend myself from feeling so hurt, I reaffirmed my boundaries. Boundaries that became impenetrable. I became guarded. I built up my armour. Fortified my walls and haven’t let anyone in since. This is something I still struggle with. I don’t trust easy anymore. I won’t let my heart bleed again."

A Meditation on Love, Loss, and Guarded Hearts

In EROS&ATROPHY, MARKEL evokes the mythic with a strikingly personal touch. Eros, the god of love, symbolizing the boundless depths of emotion, stands juxtaposed with the concept of atrophy—the slow and inevitable shrinkage of the unguarded heart. This polyptych format mirrors the process of emotional compartmentalization: love shattered and segmented into parts, yet still forming a cohesive whole. The gaps between panels become metaphors for the emotional barriers that separate vulnerability from fortification.

The composition is layered with rich symbolism, from the ancient myth of Eros—representing unconditional, deeply felt love—to the metaphor of atrophy, which captures the gradual constriction of the heart over time as walls are erected to keep out future wounds. The polyptych structure invites viewers to navigate the maze-like journey of the artwork, with each segment offering a distinct perspective on vulnerability, rejection, and the defensive measures we take to protect ourselves, even at the cost of shrinking our capacity for connection.

The central heart motif—surrounded by stark, labyrinthine lines and watchful eyes—anchors the narrative, symbolizing the simultaneous yearning for love and the fear of exposure. The splattered red, cutting across the panels, serves as both a wound and a thread, binding the work together and forcing viewers to confront the violence and beauty of human emotion.

EROS&ATROPHY is a piece that will captivate those who appreciate art that transcends the surface and delves into the profound emotional and psychological layers of human experience. The polyptych's segmented nature ensures it functions as both a unified statement and a series of smaller meditations, offering viewers multiple points of entry into its themes. For the discerning collector, this artwork serves as both a poignant personal reflection and a timeless narrative on the costs of emotional fortification. Its symbolism and storytelling make it a powerful addition to any collection, a conversation starter for those who seek to explore the depth of human emotion in visual form.

Bring home EROS&ATROPHY and own a work that beautifully captures the battle between the heart's desire to love and the mind’s need for protection. Its polyptych form invites viewers to lose themselves in its layered storytelling, ensuring the piece resonates on both an emotional and intellectual level.