A picture can mean a thousand words. Artists create art to create interpretation and discussion among individuals. People can see a painting one way but another person can see it a different way. With art there’s so many dimensions and elements incorporated in the piece to allow for a variety of interpretation and discussions to happen. The artwork “Betrayal” by Mario Sanchez Nevado touches on many issues regarding society. At first glance the image shows a gun being aimed at tearful women. By looking at the little details of the gun and the women it creates a totally different meaning to it. Thus, by looking at Nevado’s usage of iconic symbols, contrasting colors, and details within the image interpreters can create their own idea of what the art means. This is important, because with the use of multiple elements, Nevado is trying to stress the importance of global warming and the destruction it’s caused.

Iconic symbols are heavily used in Nevado’s artwork to make a connection to the meaning of the images. Symbols can have many meanings to it and it depends on the individuals to interpret what the symbol means. When you think of mother nature what image pops up in your mind? Is it a nurturing women who cares for life on earth? Chances are, you were. The artwork heavily uses iconic symbols, such as a women and a gun to make meaning. In the artwork a woman is designed to literally look like nature. In society women and children are often regarded as the ones needing protection. When a woman or child is placed in a threatening position the empathy and emotional appeal is concocted in the interpreters’ interpretations. By depicting a woman as nature this allows for the interpreter to have a stronger connection and stance on the meaning of the artwork. Another iconic symbol used in the artwork is a gun. A gun can mean two things. Life or Death. In the picture the gun is cocked to be fired. When this happens, 90% of the time the gun will have the meaning of death. Another thing that viewers will notice is that the gun is being held by a human’s hand. With the gun being pointed at the woman whose depicted as nature, we can put the two icons together to get an idea that nature’s life is in the hands of humans. Iconic symbols can play a huge role in deciphering the meaning behind a visual text.

The use of contrasting colors gives the artwork meaning. By using contrasting colors the artists is trying to make an emphasis on key areas. The first instance of contrasting colors appears within the background of the image. In the background of the image viewers can see a contrast in the shading. The heavily shaded area is focused on the hand holding the gun. The dark shading adds emphasis to the idea that death, darkness, depression, and corruption is associated with the gun and hand.  While the dark shading is mainly focused in areas around the hand the lighter shading is focused around the women whose depicted as mother nature. Lighter shades typically have the meaning of purity and cleanliness and by having the lighter shades surround the women this effect can create an emphasis on the idea that the hands of humans are slowly destroying the clean environment. Another use of contrasting colors is the use of red against the black colored gun barrel. The red shade is not only located on the tip of the barrel, but also on the woman’s lips. The striking color of red against contrasting colors draws attention to the bigger idea of the image. Red is usually associated with the meaning of love and by using that certain shade it ties the title of the artwork, “Betrayal” to the meaning of the image. If a different shade was chosen, the message would’ve translated differently. Shading and color choice is an important factor in an artist work.

The details of the artwork are probably the most important factor in figuring out the message the image is trying to portray. Without the details the image would’ve only been a gun being pointed at a woman which would’ve caused the viewers to interpret the artwork differently. The gun isn’t only a gun. On the barrel of the gun there’s designs of skyscrapers and ships. Emitting off from the skyscrapers and ships is smoke. Smoke is a one of the factors of pollution. Another detail that’s important is the women. The woman is heavily designed to look like nature. Within the design there are deers, birds, falling streams, branches, flowers, and green plants. By adding the little but important details to the women, it allows for the interpretation that the woman is mother nature. By adding the streams to the image, it creates an emotional effect that allows individuals to connect to the painting on a more personal level. By personifying the artwork, it creates an emotional and personal connection to the audience, because the stream is used to act as tears. Another detail that’s important to the artwork is the red lips that’s located on the woman and at the tip of the gun. This was obviously added intentionally to the gun to draw an emphasis to the idea of “the kiss of death”. The details of the artwork play an important factor in deciding the message of the artwork.

Art is a unique element in literature. It allows for unlimited interpretations to form from the unique perspective of individuals. By taking a close reading of a visual text interpreters can form their own ideas and conclusion about the visual text. Creators use multiple elements of design and formatting to create meaning through their artwork. By taking a close look and context of the visual texts viewers can decipher the elements used in the artworks. The artwork designed by Mario Sanchez Nevado can be seen using iconic symbols, contrasting colors, and precise detailing within his work to portray the message that natures fate is the hands of humans.