When elaborating on a topic or theme I like to reference characters known for certain behaviours in order to illustrate my idea without it being to complex.
The obvious persistent destructive relationship between Tom and Jerry was an easy way to construct a painting about one needing the other in order to complete themselves. As a story of Jerry or Tom on their own would mean nothing, so the actual character is the dynamic between them. This could also be used to describe a destructive relationship between people or an artists struggle to balance life and creativity..