"Touch of Comfort" by Carmel Cauchi, contributed by Gissell Chapa (2025)
The Touch of Comfort by Carmel Cauchi is an oil painting that portrays the impact that a human connection can have during moments of grief. The painting shows a person on their knees who is experiencing sadness, while another person attempts to offer them comfort, showing the audience how one’s company can provide a form of companionship when words are not enough. On the right of there are two doctors who look unbothered, cold, and distant, showing the emotional detachment that exists in medical settings. This painting signifies the importance of empathy, especially when language or cultural barriers exist, and can come between the process of understanding and offering support to others.