Original artwork description:

I created this portrait of my cousin as I was intrigued by his experience of Barbados in comparison to the idealised tourist destination portrayed by the western world. He spoke about the gang violence he was born into. His experience made me realise the reality of this ‘paradise’ and how it has resulted in few ways to escape poverty. In the background I chose to feature a Chattel house, which is a typical architecture style of Barbados. They were originally built in the 17th century by freed slaves who worked in the sugar plantations and didn’t own the land on which their houses stood. They now stand as a symbol of freedom but also show the legacy of slavery that impacts the island to this day. The blue and yellow colour palette makes reference to the Barbadian flag, as a display of patriotism.