Artwork has a joyful pink background with painted gum leaves. The gum leaves represent my country of birth. From a distance the painting looks like something beautiful, a floral piece. Up close the leaves on closer inspection are written with words that highlight the double speak of our times. The words are opposites. Truth and lies. We cannot be free as long as we allow ourselves to be fed and to believe lies. Freedom and slavery a reference to George Orwell's work Nineteen Eighty-Four, sometimes I think he was only out by 40 years, twenty twenty-four. Corruption and values, a reference to the lack of values presented by corrupted political and powerful figures. Death and life, highlighting that while some fight for life, others bring only death. Love and apathy, representing that it is not hate that is the opposite of love, it is something more like indifference or apathy. Apathy is the true opposite because it is the apathy of the majority of the population that allows governments and powerful figures to commit crimes that go unpunished and with impunity.
The painting is made with thick gesso and acrylic giving it a chalky appearance.
100% of profits will be donated to help affected Palestinians in Australia and to APAN to voice concerns and bring attention to plight of Gazans and Palestinians