Smile

This artwork explores the theme of “Place”, focusing specifically on the idea of “Place of Punishment” where I explored traditional and cultural forms of punishment within a Nigerian household, drawing from both personal experiences and stories that have been recounted to me. The central relationship between the child and his father represents the imbalance of power between a parent and a child. The father becomes a symbol of authority, discipline and traditional expectations, while the child represents vulnerability and the experience of having to accept punishment from someone who is supposed to provide protection and guidance. The most important element in the artwork is the child’s smile. Rather than showing an obvious expression of fear or sadness, the child smiles in response to his father. What appears to be happiness is connected to pain, discomfort and endurance. This contrast encourages the viewer to question what the child is really feeling and whether the smile is genuine or simply a way of coping with the situation.