I Will Survive Painting

**"I Will Survive" - Right to Healthcare** This painting was inspired by the experiences of children in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds where access to healthcare and protective resources is limited. The boy in the artwork represents the millions of children who are uncertain of what’s happening around them, yet are forced to adapt to a dangerous world. His mother, who can only afford to make him a mask from an old cloth, symbolizes the resilience and love of families who do their best with very little. The homemade mask is a visual metaphor for the resourcefulness of marginalized communities during a global health crisis. I hope that viewers will feel a deep sense of empathy and concern when looking at this painting. The stark contrast between the boy's grayscale figure and the vibrant, virus-symbolizing African fabric background is meant to draw attention to the disparity between his inner reality and the chaotic external world. The boy’s closed eyes emphasize his vulnerability and innocence, a reminder that every child deserves the right to healthcare and protection, regardless of their circumstances. I chose this medium and style to create a sharp visual contrast between the subject and his environment, highlighting how the boy is emotionally and physically out of sync with the world around him. The grayscale technique symbolizes his isolation and detachment from the vibrancy and life that the colorful background represents. The use of African fabric, with a print that symbolizes viruses, ties his experience to the cultural context while also representing the invisible danger that surrounds him. This style allowed me to balance social commentary with emotional depth, making the boy's struggle both personal and universally understood.