Category: Experimentation

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Gabbana Girl

“Gabbana Girl” is a captivating piece from the award-winning research project, “Hypnotic Repetition,” documented on http://www.hypnoticrepetition.com. The work explores the human condition while recording people and their behaviours across the globe, especially, when waiting becomes a coping mechanism for dealing with the harsh truths of the world as it truly exists.

“Gabbana Girl” peels back the layers of a young woman’s obsessive pursuit of online fame. Depicted with haunting beauty, this enigmatic figure would stop at nothing to become an Instagram influencer, her insatiable thirst for validation eclipsing the tough realities of her shattered world.

Emerging from poverty and a broken family, her father a recovering alcoholic afflicted with schizophrenia… Her life is a tapestry woven from painful disasters. Yet, her dream of crafting an imagined persona burns brighter than the tragedies that have defined her existence. “Gabbana Girl” invites us to peer into the depths of her fragile psyche, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur. She waits, poised for her moment to arrive.

“Gabbana Girl” is a poignant exploration of the human condition in the digital age, a stark reminder that behind every curated highlight reel lies a complex narrative of struggle and resilience. This masterpiece is a testament to the power of art to hold a mirror to society, compelling us to confront the demons we often choose to ignore.

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Sweet Rui

This painting captures the poignant story of Rui, an aging single mother of three living in Bissau, the capital of Guinea Bissau. Despite her daily struggles, Rui clings to the hope that she can improve her life and prospects by seducing a foreign man. In this portrait, she has adorned herself in her best dress and put on her makeup to go out to a night club called Tabanka, where she searches for her next dream.

This is my attempt to beautifully capture the essence of Rui’s story in this painting, conveying both the strength and vulnerability of this woman. The rich colors and intricate details of the piece draw the viewer into Rui’s world, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding for her struggles.

Through this work of art, I try to remind the world of the harsh realities that many women like Rui face every day, and the lengths they are forced to go to in order to survive. This painting is a powerful tribute to the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity, and a testament to the transformative power of art in capturing the human experience.

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Eu Sou Seu Por Nada

Work in progress:

This painting depicts a powerful and heartbreaking story of a beautiful and single mother. Her turbulent life is full of betrayal, disappointment and pain. She struggles to survive in Bissau, a poor country where cultural traditions and economic competition make life even more challenging. My intentions are to highlight the difficulty of being a single parent in such a difficult environment, and the desire to find support, regain a full family and find love. Unfortunately, the woman’s attempt to seek solace at a local disco results in further abuse and humiliation, illustrating the harsh realities that many women face in similar situations. The painting serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by those living in poverty, and the importance of addressing the complex social, economic, and cultural factors that perpetuate these challenges.

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Teresa from Senegal – Further Developments Nr 3

This painting is inspired by the story of young Theresa from Senegal. She works for a hotel and struggles to make ends meet with her minimal salary. To make more money, she is forced into a dark world of accompanying foreign men for a monetary incentive. The abuse she endures leaves physical marks on her body, but she remains strong and fights for every moment of her life.

To attract attention, Theresa covers herself with gold and fake designer labels, creating a look that is starkly different from her difficult reality. Despite the challenges she faces, she perseveres, determined to overcome her circumstances and find a better life.

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James Plays in Porto – progress stage 2

James Plays in Porto

James is English. He has no fixed address, no official identity – existing in the margins of society. Life has been hard and unrelenting, leaving its marks upon him. He survives as a busker on the cold streets of Porto during winter, seeking shelter in doorways, where a bottle of rough spirit – his only companion – sits partially hidden behind him.

His voice is delicate, almost broken, carrying a fragility that seems at odds with the harshness of his circumstances. Yet, when he plays, something remarkable emerges: a beautiful tone, the squeaky whisper of his guitar strings creating a soundscape that allows passersby to pause, dream, remember what they have lost and long for.

He remains in the gutter, but his music reaches toward the stars.