'GHOSTED' 2026 MELANI DU JARDIN OIL ON CANVAS FRAMED 50 X 60 CM

ORIGINAL FRAMED OIL PAINTING BY MELANI DU JARDIN

This work is one of two in the series that explores the modern phenomenon of ‘ghosting’, as a part of the relational landscape.

Ghosting is the practice of abruptly ending a relationship by cutting off all communication without warning or explanation, leaving the other person in a state of sudden and forced silence. From a psychological perspective, this modern phenomenon is recognized as an especially cruel form of social rejection because it strips away the opportunity for closure. Neuroscience research demonstrates that social rejection activates the exact same neural pathways in the brain as physical pain, explaining why being ghosted can feel physically jarring and deeply distressing. Unlike an explicit breakup, which allows the brain to process an ending and move forward, ghosting forces what psychologists call ambiguous rejection. Because the brain is naturally wired to seek answers and resolve patterns, a lack of explanation leaves the emotional file open, which frequently triggers intense loops of rumination, self-doubt, and anxious self-blame.