PAGEANTS & PARADOX
VIRTUAL EXHIBITION
Perfect Smiles, Hidden Scars: What Do You Really See Behind the Crown?
Step inside Pageants & Paradox, an exclusive online exhibition that uncovers the tension between perfection and vulnerability in the world of young beauty queens. Through a series of thought-provoking oil paintings, this immersive experience delves into the subtle contradictions behind pageantry—where elegance meets unspoken pressure, and every crown hides a deeper narrative. Perfect for collectors seeking art that challenges, inspires, and connects with life’s emotional complexity.
Witness the blend of beauty, power, and introspection that defines this exhibition.
Some of the artworks from the show:
Pageants & Paradox delves into the dualities of beauty and ambition, childhood innocence and adult expectations. This virtual exhibition invites you into a world where young beauty queens grapple with the weight of their crowns—both literal and emotional. Each piece peels back layers of perfection, revealing quiet moments of vulnerability, resilience, and hidden strength. From delicate hands clasping ribbons to subtle signs of weariness, these paintings reflect the tensions between outward beauty and the inner complexities of growing up.
If the sound of another day in the office without inspiration gives you the ick…
Or you hate not knowing “what the artist meant”…
Art that Speaks Where Words Fail
Explore a collection of artworks designed to stir introspection, leaving you with more questions than answers.
More Than a Painting—A Piece of You
Why does an artwork speak to you? Explore your own emotional journey, reflecting on your own experiences. See where your own experiences reflect in the art and where they don’t.
80 % of girls feel the pressure to be perfect by age 10
Explore the emotional cracks we all hide behind a facade and a smile.
Artist Tereza Barnard
Perfection is cloying; let’s uncover what lies behind it.
Growing up in the post-Communist Czech Republic, I was mesmerized by the idea of beautiful, elaborate dresses. During my early childhood, such opulence was a distant dream. It wasn’t until after the revolution when I was about five, that I began to see these vibrant, intricate designs that stirred something inside me. My fascination with these lavish garments—the ruffles, sequins, and tiaras—stayed with me and became central to my work. Each painting begins with a celebration of beauty, but as you look closer, you’ll find layers of satire, psychology, and introspection.
In my paintings, I use small, deliberate brushstrokes to capture realistic figures dressed in opulent gowns, but the gestural strokes I employ create a sense of abstraction. Beneath the surface lies a narrative: an exploration of the mother-child dynamic, the societal pressures surrounding beauty, and the emotional complexities that come with triumphs and heartaches. My background in developmental psychology gives me a unique lens through which to examine these themes, blending imagination with an acute awareness of human behaviour.
Tereza Barnard (b.1984) is an oil painter based in Oxford, UK, originally from the Czech Republic. Her self-taught artistic journey is complemented by a Master’s degree in developmental psychology from University College London. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including with Arcadia Contemporary at the LA Art Show in 2023 and at the British Art Prize 2023 at Oxo Gallery in London. Barnard’s work is held in private collections across the globe and has received accolades such as being a finalist in the ARC Salon and the ModPortrait competitions.
FAQ
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The virtual exhibition offers a deeply immersive experience that allows you to step inside the gallery from anywhere in the world. You’ll navigate the space using arrows, much like walking through a physical gallery. You can view the paintings to scale, seeing their full size and absorbing their intricate details.
Beyond this, I’ve created a series of 7 videos exclusive to the exhibition:
Why Beauty Queens?: In this video, I explore the driving force behind my fascination with this subject matter and share personal stories about what inspired me to paint them.
Detailed Painting Insights: There’s one video dedicated to each of the five paintings in the series, delving into their emotional depth, symbolism, and technical execution.
Props & Brush Marks: A close-up look at the crowns and other props used, paired with footage that zooms in on the brushstrokes, giving you a tactile sense of the work.
These videos offer a rare opportunity to get to know me as an artist on a personal level. They are available only through this virtual exhibition, adding an intimate layer to the viewing experience.
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Some of The Beauty Queen paintings on display are available upon private request. However, as a collector attending this exhibition, you gain exclusive early access to upcoming pieces in the series. Should you be interested in acquiring any work or discussing commissions, you will have direct access to my team.
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This isn’t just a slideshow of artworks—it’s a fully interactive experience. You’ll be able to see the Young Beauty Queen paintings in context, true to scale, and virtually explore the space as though you're walking through a private gallery.
The exclusive videos let you step into my studio and my mind, creating a deeper connection to each piece. Nowhere else do I show my face or share this much of my artistic process, making this experience truly unique.
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This exhibition is designed for collectors who are looking for more than just visual art. It's for those who want to understand the layers of emotion, intention, and symbolism behind each brushstroke. If you’re drawn to works that evoke introspection and challenge societal narratives—especially around the themes of beauty, identity, and power—this exhibition will speak to you. It’s an opportunity to own that intimate connection to both the art and the artist.
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The Beauty Queen series delves into the psychological complexities of perfection, competition, and societal pressure. It’s a commentary on the fragile balance between beauty and power, the weight of expectations, and the personal costs hidden behind a crown. Through each painting, I explore the vulnerability of these girls, as well as the universal human experience of striving for something that may never be fully within reach.
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Given the exclusive and digital nature of this virtual exhibition, all sales are final, and refunds are not offered.
This exhibition is a carefully curated experience, designed with the discerning collector in mind. Each element, from the interactive gallery to the behind-the-scenes videos, has been thoughtfully crafted to provide a unique, intimate connection to the artwork and the artist.
The personal insights, rare footage, and exclusive content you’ll have access to are not available anywhere else, ensuring that this is a one-of-a-kind experience.. By purchasing your ticket, you’re investing in both the art and the creative process behind it, an opportunity that doesn’t often repeat itself.
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This virtual exhibition is a curated, immersive experience.
The nominal fee supports the time, effort, and artistry invested in creating an intimate connection between you and the work.
You’re not only gaining access to the exclusive exhibition but also a series of unique, never-before-seen artist videos that delve deeply into my process, inspirations, and the personal stories behind each painting.
The small cost ensures that this exhibition remains an exclusive and meaningful experience for those truly invested in exploring the art on a deeper level
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This is just an “IT thing”. What’s behind the paywall is an area we can continuously update as new paintings get finished and we want you to be able to revisit it and see the new paintings. The easiest way to do that is through setting up this exhibition as a “membership” to which you can login any time you want and revisit it any time you wish through the login button in the top menu of this website. The entry fee is a one time fee only, there are no repeat payments, just benefits to this being set up as a membership.
Testimonials
Unlock an intimate journey into the world of art with exclusive access to "Pageants and Paradox," a virtual exhibition. Experience each oil painting's emotional depth through detailed artist commentary and uncover hidden stories in behind-the-scenes videos. As a bonus, access my Collector Portal for a personal view of artworks in progress. & get access to my collector portal- a private section of my site through which you can view videos of what's currently on the easel.
An example of a video from the show
Here is an example video with an artist’s commentary from the virtual show. As a bonus, with access to this virtual show you will also gain unlimited access to my exclusive Collector Portal, a private part of my website which contains a library of videos featuring what’s on my easel in progress. These videos and other exclusive content of the Collector Portal benefit from regular future updates and are not available anywhere else. They are just for you.
You’ll get a notification each time a new video gets uploaded onto the Collector Portal and if you ever wish to cancel, you’ll simply just click the unsubscribe button.
This is an opportunity for art lovers who cherish and enjoy personal access to the art as it is made. Collectors and art lovers who wish to know the personal stories that inspired the art and like getting to know the artist who makes it.