My paint brush is my weapon. When somebody purchases my artwork they are getting a canvas battle ground where so many emotions collide, When I read about the experiences of the children in Iraq, I knew that I had to create a hyperrealism portrait packed full of emotion.
I wanted to create a painting that not only shows the beauty and innocence of childhood but also the terrors of war and imperialism. Most people are aware of the damage caused by a conventional war, they have seen the damage to Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, they have seen the destruction that bombs can cause. Most people are not aware of the damage sanctions can cause and it is estimated that sanctions imposed on Iraq have caused the death of half a million children. Many countries in the world are crippled by these economic sanctions.
My painting shows a young boy tired and traumatised by war against a background of symbols and text which point to the reasons of these wars such as money and oil. I also wanted to embed in the text a famous question aimed at the then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright by Journalist Lesley Stahl who asked “We have heard that half a million Iraqi children have died due to the UN sanctions on Iraq, do you think the price is worth it?” After a pause Madeleine Albright responded “That is a very hard question but we feel that the price is worth it.” When I heard that response I felt ashamed to be a part of the human race.
The painting started with broad brush strokes creating the composition. I then focused on the eyes using very small brushes to create so much detail in the eye and so much emotion. I wanted to create eyes that one would never forget, eyes that grabbed hold of you, eyes full of pain. Once I completed the face I added text. The text shamefully hums silently in the back ground. I want to create a painting that you will never forget and that you will want to dive deeply into.
