Original artwork description:

My aim with this piece, is to look at the after effects of our actions and choices and the effects they will have on our society. Issues such as racism, sexual abuse, child abuse, human and child trafficking, LGBTQ issues, sexism and others, and how they will affect future generations. The use of military symbolism is as a reflection of the current state of Nigeria, parts of Nigeria are at war as we speak, we still have child soldiers fighting a battle they can never understand. As a country and as a continent we have had a torrid past with the military. In Nigeria we have lived in fear of the military and have made these men untouchable. I decided to play with this idea by, lightly juxtaposing the traditional badges and ranks with the patches of issues they failed to protect us from, showing us, that we have placed the wrong people as the most important in our society. Choosing to leave the images faceless reminds us that it could be any child, that to fight for one is to fight for all.
My choice of brush strokes on each helmet was to portray the helmet as old and weathered, because these issues are not new. These issues have been here with us for sometime and the journey to change is a constant battle. the inter changeability of the patches is to show how these issues are constantly changing and growing.

Materials used:

Acrylic

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