This piece symbolises the sensation of being held back by unknown forces, or your inner fears.
The character in this painting is being engulfed by fears and all they see is the locked barrier ahead of them. In the sand behind them is a reference from a dream I once had; a key, perhaps the key to the barriers ahead, is buried in the sand under the number 7. In numerology those following the 7 life path are following the path of spiritual enlightenment and using their creative and cognitive skills to advance themselves and remove their barriers.