Beneath it all by Mikarla Teague (Original Painting)

This piece is a reminder of the ultimate truth – beneath the surface of skin, of colour, of gender, sexuality, or belief systems, we are all the same. Stripped oflabels, we are bones, connected by our shared mortality. These skeletons, lockedin an eternal kiss, symbolize love in its purest form – free from the constraints andjudgments of the physical world.This artwork speaks to the idea that love transcends flesh and identity. It remindsus that at our core, we are united by the same fragile bones, the same need forconnection, the same desire to love and be loved. These figures embrace notjust each other, but a universal truth: that human experience, in all its diversity, isbonded by our shared humanity.In the context of Fluid Narratives, this piece ties together the overarchingmessage – that our stories, while unique, are part of a larger collective narrative.It serves as a visual and philosophical bridge between the individual and thecollective. Whether we wear leather, lipstick, or the scars of our battles, we areskeletons beneath it all – equal, vulnerable, and capable of immense love.This kiss is not just an intimate act – it’s an emblem of defiance, of resilience, andof our shared essence. No matter how we identify, how we love, or where wecome from, we are bound together by something much deeper.Let this piece remind you that love, stripped of all labels, remains the mostpowerful force of all.