If You Smile At Me I Will Understand Wall Art

This three-dimensional mixed media collage by Dana De Ano blends surreal humor with quiet introspection, inviting viewers into a fragmented narrative that feels both familiar and dreamlike. Layered with painted wood panels, hand-drawn scenes, and found materials, the piece juxtaposes domestic imagery with cryptic text — “If you smile at me I will understand” — evoking a sense of longing, vulnerability, and human connection.

De Ano’s collage feels like a visual diary cracked open — part confession, part riddle. Through playful yet haunting compositions and tactile craftsmanship, the artist captures the tension between everyday absurdity and emotional truth, transforming humble materials into an evocative meditation on empathy and communication.