Forgotten
DETAIL
Oil on 1/8″ deep Hardboard / Óleo sobre tabla
6″ high x 6″ wide / 15.2 x 15.2 cm
sold
A while ago a good friend of mine from Venezuela, Gilberto Guerrero, a hobbyist photographer sent me a few pictures for me to paint. Among the flowers typical of Venezuela, he sent me images that were quite shocking to me, as they represented the condition of the current country. A country that I learned to love for its beauty and its people. This is one of them. It took me a while to get to courage to paint it, because I knew it was going to be hard emotionally. A man forgotten by society and the current government who’s only interest is to fight against the US and anyone who dares to stop his desire and ambitious to become the next leader of not only the country but the world. A crazy idiotic president who forgot what his duty towards his people was. I imagine this poor man sitting on the street having a home and a family and loosing it all only God knows how and why, now is doomed to live on the streets alone and at the mercy of the world.
2 Comments to Forgotten
Really moving, Manuela! The emotions are shown so clearly in his posture and positions of his hands. I really the idea of doing a series of paintings of the ‘forgotten’ souls. (Something we might want to thing about for our next Challenge 5 idea- and maybe intrigue you to participate in) There is a quiet beauty and very deep statement to be made.
Wishes to you and your little family to have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Vikki
November 25, 2008
Hi Vikki, thank you for the invite, I would sure love to participate on that challenge. I think this painting would fit perfectly.
My intention with this new series is to create awareness and open the eyes to those who live completely oblivious of the dark side of our modern society caused by a government whose interests are focused on the wrong causes. Many times we hear of countries helping other countries forgetting there is so much need in their own. We can’t help others if we don’t help our people first.
I took me months to gather the necessary strength to paint this one. The emotions grab you as soon as you see the photograph so imagine how hard it was to paint. It took me two days to finish this little one. Between my screwed up hand and the swirl of emotions I had to stop the session so many times. The photo and the painting makes you wonder what happened? why is this person in this condition? why has he been forgotten? where is his family? would he be able to survive in the rain, on the streets? and who’s going to take care of him when he gets sick?… so many questions started popping into my head and I couldn’t but get overwhelmed with emotions.
It is heartbreaking because this is the reality of thousands if not millions of people just around the corner.
You can tell I’m still overwhelmed!
Thank you for the best wishes Vikki, happy thanksgiving to you too my friend!!
November 25, 2008