The Malcontent Series

It all started in 2020. It all started with “nope”.

That one little benign, colloquial word is hiding defiance behind colorful candy. It is a blanket you pull over your head to shut out the world. Four simple little letters, cushioned by sweetness, like a middle finger from a Disney princess.

The Malcontent Series is a pop-art series which expresses varying shades of frustration and discontent with our world- post pandemic. It’s the “meh” which is your reply to “how are you?” It is the “blech” you feel at the thought of waking up to face the news another day.

Our conditioning in the United States is to not be direct in our emotional responses, we are a polite country after all. We must instead embrace love and light. In a post 2020 world, feelings still crouch, nervous and small, behind the legs of adult rage- softened behind smiles, beautiful colors and candy. Simmering and without direction. After all, we’re just malcontent for now.

-Shayna Leib

"Nope" 2020    24" x 48"   oil on wood

"Meh" 2021    30" x 40"   oil on canvas 

"Hostess® Poopcake"  2022    30" x 40"  oil on canvas

"Irk"  2021  24" x 48"     oil on canvas

"Blech" 2022  30" x 40"   oil on canvas

"Hork"  2022  30" x 48"    Oil on canvas