My hyperrealistic oil painting of Rory is not just a portrait – it is a cry for justice. I met Rory in early 2021 outside a Starbucks near The embankment tube station in London. A child from Birmingham, he was living on the streets, haunted by fears and anxiety that echoed the harsh realities of homelessness and a pandemic.
Rory’s story is a heartbreaking reflection of a society that abandons its most vulnerable – children like him, lost in a world that refuses to see them.
I knew that I had to create a portrait that would hit like a sledgehammer. Every detail, every stroke, was crafted to lay bear his raw emotion, capturing his innocence and despair in equal measure. The sharp, aggressive colours of his face stand in stark contrast to the faded background, demanding your attention – and your conscience.
This painting is a powerful reminder : this cannot continue. A child’s childhood should never be sacrificed on the streets or dismissed as lost. Rory’s story is ours, and it is urgent that we listen – and act.
To view a video of the work Click Here
“Rory” is also available as a signed limited edition print, please CLICK HERE to view








