Smothered in anguish and clenched with despair, the soul struggles for power over our decisions. The opposing forces of our subconscious mind over the conscious sometimes creates a great deal of anguish in life.
This painting was the first of a series of three Anguish paintings. This well-received series was reviewed by several art critics during the Black and White exhibit at the Installations One Gallery in Los Angeles.
During the televised event in 1992, an offer was made by a Hollywood collector, and Allan refused to sell Anguish, selling the third painting from this series instead.
In 1993, Allan exhibited this painting during a show called "Inner space Outer space." The owner of the Balboa Building in Los Angeles saw the painting and commissioned him to do three new works knowing that Allan would not part with it.
This painting was exhibited again at the NoHo Arts Festival in 1997, and an art aficionado saw this piece and wanted to buy it on the spot. Allan once again refused.
The same thing occurred again during a warehouse party exhibit in 1999. In 2004 Linder finally sold the piece to a private collector to move on with his life.